How to Dye Burlap for Acoustic Panels

Dyed burlap can be used to cover acoustic panels.

Burlap is a natural fabric made from jute fibers. This cloth has a loose, rough weave and texture. Burlap is occasionally used as a replacement for speaker fabric because it has a similar appearance and texture. You can use burlap as a successful replacement for synthetic speaker fabric on acoustic panels designed to help absorb excess sound in a room to enhance music and other specific sounds. Dye the burlap before placing it over the panels to make the panels look professionally covered.

Things You'll Need

• Burlap
• Scissors
• Synthrapol soap
• Non-iodized salt
• Large bucket
• Fiber reactive dye powder
• Sodium carbonate

Instructions

1. Fit the burlap over your acoustic panels and cut the burlap into the correct shape before starting the dying process.

2. Wash the fabric with ½ an ounce of Synthrapol soap and lukewarm water. Rinse until the soap is gone.

3. Dissolve two cups of salt and 25 grams of dye powder into two liters of hot water in a large bucket. Add five additional liters of water to the mixture.

4. Place the fabric in the salty mixture. Stir the fabric in the dye bath for 30 minutes.

5. Dissolve four tablespoons of sodium carbonate in three cups of hot water. Pour this mixture in with the dye mixture. Stir the fabric for 30 additional minutes.

6. Remove the burlap from the dye. Rinse the burlap in lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Wash the fabric with ½ ounce of Synthrapol soap once more to set the dye. Allow the burlap to dry before using it on the speakers.

References

• GS Dyes: Immersion Dyeing Techniques
• Haoleb: Acoustic Panels Without the Price