This article was co-authored by Lois Wade. Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007.
This article has been viewed 184,384 times.
So... the pants that looked like a "perfect match" for your cute blouse in the store didn't match when you got home? Or maybe you have a cute pair of light colored pants that need a bit of pizazz? Dye your own!
Steps
Washing Machine Method
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1Fill machine with hot water. Use enough for your cloth to move freely.
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2Add dye in proportions indicated on the package.Advertisement
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3Wet fabric in hot water.
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4Smooth out the wrinkles and place it in the dye bath.
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5Set your washing machine for it's longest wash cycle. Fabric should be in dye bath for at least half an hour before rinse begins. You can reset the machine before it gets to the rinse cycle if necessary.
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6Rinse the dye away with cold water until water runs clear. Wash darker colors in warm water and rinse thoroughly in cool water.
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7Dry the pants either in the dryer or on the clothes line.
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8Clean the residual dye out of your machine using the highest water level, hot water, and a cup or so of bleach.
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9Clean out the lint traps.
Bucket or Sink Method
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1Fill sink or bucket with hot water - enough for your fabric to move freely.
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2Add dye in the proportions indicated on your package. Stir to mix.
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3Pre-wet your fabric in hot water.
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4Smooth out wrinkles and add to dye bath.
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5Stir continuously for 10 to 30 minutes. (change direction of stirring, up/down, side to side, etc)
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6Rinse in warm water, then gradually cooler water until water runs clear.
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7Wash item in warm water with mild detergent
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8Rinse thoroughly in cool water.
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9Dry
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10Clean sink or bucket immediately with chlorine bleach.
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11Finished.
Community Q&A
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QuestionAfter dyeing, can I wash my clothes in the machine with other clothes?
Community AnswerNo, wash your dyed shirt separately to prevent the colors bleeding into other clothes. After a couple of washes your dyed fabric can be washed with other clothes. -
QuestionWhich fabrics can be dyed?
Community AnswerPractically any fabric can by dyed, but the results vary. -
QuestionHow many pairs of clothes can I dye at once?
Community AnswerDye one piece at a time unless you want more clothes of that color.
Warnings
- Wash your washing machine carefully with bleach to avoid dying your next load of laundry and to avoid staining it.⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You'll Need
- Dye
- Bleach
- Washing machine or bucket
- Item to dye
- Rubber gloves (to protect your hands from getting dyed).
References
About This Article
For a quick and easy fabric dying technique, start by pouring enough hot water into your washing machine that you can swish the fabric around freely in the water. Then, add a little dye to your machine, following the package directions to determine the right amount. Before adding the fabric to the machine, give it a quick rinse in hot water. Once the fabric is rinsed, lay it out flat in the dye-filled water and wash it in your machine. Finish up by rinsing out the excess dye with cold water and drying the fabric in the dryer or on a clothes line. For more tips from our Crafts co-author, including how to dye fabric in a bucket or sink, keep reading!
