Frequently Asked Questions About Dyeing (and related issues)

general dyeing

• How can I get the dye off my hands?
• What kind of dyes are there?
• Which dyes are more lightfast?
• What kinds of chemical bonds hold dyes to fibers?
• What is the history of tie-dye?
• Can I just use the dyes sold in the grocery store for dyeing?
• Can I dye clothing that is labeled "dry clean only"? New! (1/12)

fixing non-reactive dyes

• Is there anything I can do to "set" the dye on purchased fabric?
• How can I fix the shirts I just tie-dyed with Rit® dye so that they'll quit bleeding in the wash and stay bright?
• How can I set the dye from pounding flowers onto cloth?
• How can I tie-dye with Rit® dye?
• What is Retayne?

synthetic fibers

• How can I dye spandex (or Lycra or elastane)?
• How can I dye nylon?
• How can I dye rayon?
• How can I dye satin or charmeuse?
• How can I dye polyester?
• How can I dye acrylic?
• How can I tie-dye plush toys?

color choice

• What colors should I buy to start out with?
• Why are there so many different colors?
• How can I mix Procion MX dyes to get specific colors?

dye auxiliary chemicals

• What are mordants? What's the difference between mordants and other dye chemicals?
• What is soda ash? What's it used for?
• Can baking soda be used as a fixative for dyeing?
• What temperature should the soda ash be?
• What is the effect of pH? What is the optimal pH?
• What is urea for? Is it necessary?
• What is the effect of temperature?
• What is Synthrapol? Is there any substitute?
• What is Ludigol? Do I need to use it?
• Should I use distilled or spring water instead of tap water?
• Do I need to use salt?
• How are thickeners such as alginate used with dye?
• What are mordants? What's the difference between mordants and other dye chemicals?
• How do you use Silk Salt or other large salt crystals to make bursts of color?
• Sodium silicate as a fixative for dyeing
• How do you use citric acid as an auxiliary chemical for dyeing? New! (5/11)
• How do you use ammonium sulfate as an auxiliary chemical for dyeing? New! (1/12)
• Using vinegar or acetic acid for dyeing New! (1/12)

bleaching and discharging

• Help! I ruined clothing by spattering bleach. How can I fix it?
• How do you "bleach" a screen print on a t-shirt?
• Can you tie dye something that is already dark?
• How can I neutralize the damaging effects of chlorine bleach?
• What chemicals can be used to remove dye?
• Which Procion MX dyes discharge the best? Which are good at resisting chlorine bleach? (also listed under Procion dyes, above right)

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Procion MX
Fiber Reactive
Cold Water Dye

procion MX dyes

• Which Procion MX dyes are pure, and which are mixtures?
• Which MX dyes at one supplier are the same as those at another? (same answer as the previous question)
• How can I mix Procion MX dyes to get specific colors?
• What is in Procion type dye powder?
• What is the chemical structure of Procion type dye?
• What other brand names are Procion MX type dyes sold under?
• Are there any Procion MX dyes that are not available to home dyers?
• What do the letters and numbers in the code name for a Procion MX type dye mean?
• Which Procion MX dyes discharge the best? Which are good at resisting chlorine bleach?
• How much Procion MX dye should I use?

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Paradise Fibers

Washfast Acid Dyes

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Paradise Fibers

procion H dyes

• Which Procion H dyes are pure unmixed colors, and which mixtures? How do they compare from one retailer to another?

acid dyes

• Which Wash Fast Acid dyes are pure, rather than mixtures?
• Which Lanaset/Sabraset dyes are pure, rather than mixtures?
• What are Kiton Levelling Acid Dyes?
• Is Kool-Aid colored with Procion dyes?
• How can I tie dye with Kool-aid?

problems

• My colors just washed out! What happened?
• My colors are not very bright. What did I do wrong?
• Why are there specks of color all over my fabric?
• Why did the thread stay white when I dyed clothing?

tying

• How do you tie-dye a star or mandela pattern?
• How do you tie-dye a spiral?
• How do you tie-dye letters of the alphabet?
• How can I tie-dye a peace sign?

miscellaneous

• How can I dye clothing or fabric in the washing machine?
• Can furniture be dyed successfully?
• Can I paint on clothing with oil paints?
• Can I screenprint with a dye resist?
• How do you tie-dye socks?

safety

• Is it safe to eat or breathe fiber reactive dyes?
• Is it safe to dye clothes during pregnancy?
• Is it safe for a breastfeeding mother to dye clothes?
• Which dyes are the safest? Which are the most dangerous?
• Aren't natural dyes always safer than synthetic dyes?
• Is all-purpose dye safer than fiber reactive dye?