How to Make Dye Stick to Fabric
The key to making dye stick to fabric is using the right mordant for the fiber. A mordant is a substance that grabs the dye chemicals and bonds them to the fabric. Each kind of dye and each kind of fiber requires a different mordant. For example, animal fibers require a different mordant from plant fibers. Common mordants include soda ash, salt, alum and urea. Mixing dyes properly can be a process of trial and error, so you should do tests on small swatches of fabric before mixing large dye baths.
Instructions
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Dye cotton, linen, rayon, hemp and other plant fibers with fiber-reactive dyes and a soda ash mordant. Soak the fiber for 30 minutes in a mixture of 1 cup of soda ash to 1 gallon of water. Mix 1 Tbsp. of urea with 4 Tbsp. of dye and 1 cup of hot water in a squeeze bottle. For best results, squirt fiber-reactive dye directly onto the fabric, put the fabric in a plastic bag and leave the bag in the sun for two hours. This is the best mixture and technique for tie-dye.
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Dye animal fibers like wool, alpaca and mohair with acid dyes in hot water. Soak the fabric in warm water with 1 Tbsp. of laundry detergent for 30 minutes. Do not rinse out the soap. Boil 1 gallon of water on the stove for every pound of dry fabric. Add 1/4 cup of vinegar and 2/3 oz. of dye that has been pre-dissolved in hot water, then add the wet fabric.
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Use all-purpose dyes in liquid or powder form. Wet the fabric first and use 3 gallons of water for every pound of dry fabric. Add 1 Tbsp. of laundry detergent to the dye bath and 1 cup of salt if dyeing plant fibers. All-purpose dyes will not be as colorfast or as bright as fiber-reactive or acid dyes. For best results, use one package of powdered or 1/2 bottle of liquid dye for light colors, and two packages of powdered or one bottle of liquid dye for dark colors.
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Dye only animal fibers with natural dyes such as plants, cochineal or coffee. Because the concentration of these dyes varies greatly and the mordants vary widely, it is best to ask the dye supplier how to mix your particular natural dye. Mordants for natural dyes include alum, tin, chrome and vinegar.
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Dye animal fibers with Kool-Aid for an easy introduction to dyeing. Soak the fabric in hot water and 1 Tbsp. of laundry detergent for 30 minutes, then put the wet fabric in a slow cooker set on high. There is no need to wash out the detergent. Fill the slow cooker with just enough water to cover the fabric and let the water heat. Sprinkle Kool-Aid onto one section of the fabric, on top of the water. The fabric will absorb the dye and the water will turn clear. Kool-Aid is bright, colorfast and requires no mordant.
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References
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