How to Dye a Sweater Yellow

Turn your family's white sweaters yellow by dying them with turmeric.

Change on old white or ivory-colored sweater and give it new life by dying it yellow, using a natural material. You can use the turmeric spice, in powder form, to dye the sweater a spicy mustard yellow color. This method of dying is eco-friendly and healthier than using dyes with harmful chemicals, and the process is not difficult to do for achieving a lovely yellow hue. Best of all, you can upcycle an old sweater rather than throwing it away.

Things You'll Need

• Large stainless steel pot
• Water
• Turmeric powder
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon
• Rubber gloves

Instructions

1. Fill a large stainless steel pot with four cups of water. Place on the stove and bring to a boil.

2. Add 4 tbsp. of turmeric powder to the water, and, using a wooden spoon, stir the turmeric through the boiling water to dissolve. This measurement will give you a middle hue; use about one tablespoon less for a lighter color and one tablespoon more for a darker color.

3. Turn the burner to a low setting and allow the water to cool down to a warm temperature.

4. Place rubber gloves on your hands, and turn on the water in your kitchen sink to run warm. Run the sweater under warm water to soak it, and then squeeze the excess water out.

5. Place the wet sweater into the pot of water and submerge using the wooden spoon. Allow the sweater to sit in the dye for up to 30 minutes. Stir it every few minutes to make sure the fabric dyes evenly. Check on the color every few minutes until you reach the desired hue. The sweater will dry slightly lighter.

6. Turn off the stove and lift the pot, using potholders, and place on a counter near the sink. Wearing rubber gloves, carefully remove the sweater from the pot and place into the sink. Rinse the yellow dye from the sweater under warm running water. Continue to do this until the water runs clear. Squeeze the excess water from the sweater.

7. Dry the sweater according to instructions on the tag. Typically, laying a sweater flat on a drying rack is preferable. High heat will help to set the dye, but read the tag to make sure this is safe for the fibers of your sweater.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find turmeric powder in spice sections in a grocery or health food store.

• Natural dyes will work better and last longer when used on natural yarn fibers such as cotton or wool.

• Turmeric is a very strong dye that will stain any surface it touches. Use rubber gloves to protect your hands and protect the area where you are working.

References

• Plant Cultures: Hands on -- Turmeric dye