How to Dye Pants

Alter the color of your pants using fabric dye.

You can refashion a pair of pants into a more trendy, or classic color with fabric dye. The process of dying pants is simple and can be done in an afternoon with the right materials. Prior to starting the dyeing process, read the manufacturer's tag so you know the right type of dye to purchase for the material of the pants. Each fabric will hold dye differently, so determining the correct type of dye will help you color the pants exactly the way you want.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning agent
• Tub
• Fabric dye
• Stove pot
• Wooden spoon
• Water thermometer

Instructions

1. Remove stains from the pants using a cleaning agent. Stains will absorb the dye differently, causing discoloration or uneven color. Wait for the pants to dry completely to ensure the stain is gone before proceeding.

2. Saturate the pants completely in a tub of room-temperature water. The fabric will absorb the fabric dye better if the material is wet. Allow the pants to soak for 30 minutes before transferring them to the dye.

3. Mix the dye in a large stove pot, according to the manufacturer's directions. Each brand will have a different set of directions and mixture amount. Stir the water with the dye and set the heat temperature to simmer.

4. Remove the wet pants from the tub, ring them out and transfer to the pot of dye. Stir the pants with a wooden spoon for the first 15 minutes to distribute the dye evenly.

5. Test the water with a water thermometer. It will need to reach a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit for the fiber cuticles to open on the pants and absorb the dye properly. Set a timer for the recommended simmer time as stated by the manufacturer.

6. Remove the pants when the timer goes off and place them in a bathtub or sink. Use cold water to rinse the dye from the pants. If the pants are too dark, use hot water to rinse to help fade the color. Pants that are too light should be rinsed and dried before repeating the dyeing process. Hang pants to dry or wash in a washing machine on their own.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear old gloves and clothing to prevent staining.

• Run a bleach cycle through the washing machine after washing the pants. This will prevent leftover dye from staining another load of laundry.

References

• Alley Cat Scratch: Changing the Color of Fabrics
• Rit Dye: Tips For Success
• Opulence Acid Dye Immersion: Instruction