How Can I Dye a Dress?

Do not use Easter egg or hair dye on clothing. Only use fabric dye.

Everyone has old clothes hiding in the back of the closet that they just don't wear. And we've all seen great thrift shop dresses at our local store; great, except for the color. A change of color might be all a garment needs to come out of the closet and enjoy a second life. Dyeing a dress is a lot easier than you imagine, and definitely cheaper than buying it new.

Things You'll Need

• Dress
• Bleach
• Rubber gloves
• Dye
• 5-gallon bucket
• 2 large pots
• Salt or vinegar
• Stove
• Broom handle or large wooden spoon

Instructions

1. Clean the dress following the instructions on the label. If the label is missing, wash the dress in cold water. Thoroughly dry the dress.

2. Put on the rubber gloves, and make sure you have adequate ventilation before you begin. Fill the bucket with four parts water to one part bleach. Put the dress in the bucket.

3. Leave the dress in the bleach for five minutes, then remove. If the dress isn't bleached lighter than the color of dye you intend to use, put it back in for one minute intervals until you are satisfied. Rinse all of the bleach from the garment.

4. Fill one pot with 8 cups of water and 1 cup of salt or vinegar. Mix well. Add the dress. Simmer on the stove top for one hour.

5. Add the dye to the second pot. If you are using a commercial dye, follow the instructions on the package. If you are using a natural dye, prepare it and add it to the pot. Set the second pot to medium heat.

6. Wring out the dress before you add it to the dye pot. Put it in the dye pot and simmer for at least 30 minutes. Stir the dress and dye with the broom handle or wooden spoon. If the color isn't as desired, continue to simmer, checking every 10 minutes until you are satisfied. Once you are happy with the color, turn off the heat and allow the pot and dress to cool. Hang to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Natural fabrics are easier to dye than artificial. Darker colors bleach more easily than lighter colors. Make sure that your dress is stain and spot free before you dye it. If you want to tie dye the dress, or create a pattern, consult with the resources at the end of the article.

• Don't leave the dress in the bleach too long. Some materials can be badly damaged from long exposure. Once you use a pot or wooden spoon for dyeing, don't use them for anything else but that in the future.

References

• Threads Magazine; Dyeing With Bleach; Lois Ericson; October 2008
• Miss Vinyl Ahoy; How to Dye Your Clothes; Suze; April 2011

Resources

• Pro Chemical and Dye: Folding Techniques for Tie Dye
• The Ecologist; How to Dye Clothes Using Natural Methods; Andy Hamilton; January 2010