I bought some dye

Stlight · Jan 23, 2012

and was thiking of using it on 100% cotton already made up article of clothing. The dye is Rit, which I always thought had a Z in it but doesn't seem to.I telling you this in case there are any among you who might have words of advice, something not mentioned on the package, something that isn't quite as the package says, for me.

Feel free to say do not do this, seriously, do not do this.

Thanks.

ETA to try to put paragraphs in that would stay when posted. If this is all one clump, know that I tried.

bettielee · Jan 23, 2012

one thing I know from Project Runway:

Use gloves

you need salt to stabilize the die.

that is all I know.

go forth with caution, young one....

MaryMumsy · Jan 23, 2012

Use some kind of disposable container. Do not do this in your washing machine. When my brother would dye jute for macrame he would put a large trash bag (the kind for leaves) in a 40 gallon galvanized garbage can. When he was done he would just pour the liquid out in the yard, and then throw away the bag.

MM

KellyAssauer · Jan 23, 2012

One word: Laundromat.

*and I'll deny it ever happened*

Ari Meermans · Jan 23, 2012

Cotton takes dye easily, so you shouldn't have a problem in that regard. Make sure the article is free of oils and stains before dying. Keep in mind that you'll have to wash that item separately for a minimum of 3 washes before you can add it to a regular load as there will be some color bleeding for the first few washes.

I dye things with Rit relatively frequently (2-3 times a year) and I do use my washing machine; but, understand it takes at least 2 complete washing cycles of hot water and bleach to remove all the dye. That can be a real pain for some.

Ken · Jan 23, 2012

... dying something from a light to a dark color probably works better than doing so from a dark to a light color I'm guessing.

Stlight · Jan 24, 2012

Thanks everyone. I'll probably use the garbage bag, then wash it several times in the washer. I usually cold water in the washer, should I use warm/hot to get the bleeding part of the dye out or will the cold do?

I'm dying white cotton purple. Ken, that was a happy accident going from white to dark.

Ari Meermans · Jan 24, 2012

I'd use cold to warm water; I don't like to use hot water on my colors, especially the newly dyed ones.

Williebee · Jan 24, 2012

"I once hit a man with a bottle of Rit... Just to watch him dye."

Ari Meermans · Jan 24, 2012

Somebody's got The Folsom Prison Blues, huh?

Alessandra Kelley · Jan 24, 2012

Is it liquid or powdered dye? Here's the Material Safety Data Sheet for powdered Rit dyes, and here's the MSDS for Rit liquid dyes. Keep them off your skin and consider wearing a dust mask.

I bought some dye

Stlight

ideas are floating where they will

bettielee

I'm a sparkly fairy princess!

MaryMumsy

the original blond bombshell

KellyAssauer

The Anti-Magdalene

Ari Meermans

MacAllister's Official Minion & Greeter

Ken

Stlight

ideas are floating where they will

Ari Meermans

MacAllister's Official Minion & Greeter

Williebee

Capeless, wingless, & yet I fly.

Ari Meermans

MacAllister's Official Minion & Greeter

Alessandra Kelley

Sophipygian