How to Darken White Lace Curtains With Tea Bags

Antique lace curtains are often a soft ecru.

Bright white is a stark color that does not suit every room. Dye your lace curtains to match the shade of the window frame for a soft look that is easy to live with. Black tea is an old-fashioned dye that is used to dye natural fiber fabrics in shades ranging from a pale off-white to a dark beige. Tea bags are less messy and more convenient than loose tea for dying fabric.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton or linen lace curtains
• Washer
• Detergent
• Large pot
• Black tea bags

Instructions

1. Wash cotton or linen lace curtains with detergent to remove any sizing or dust. Rinse well.

2. Place the curtains in a large pot to see if it will be large enough to hold the curtains. The dry curtains should only fill the pot two-thirds full. There should be enough room for the curtains to move around in the dye.

3. Heat water to boiling and add 12 standard sized tea bags for each gallon of water. Use more tea if you want a dark shade of beige; use less tea if you want a pale shade.

4. Place the wet curtains in the dye bath. Keep the liquid hot.

5. Soak the curtains until the desired shade is achieved. The curtains will lighten as they dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Dry a section of the curtains with a blow dryer to check the color before you throw the tea out. If they are not dark enough, heat the tea and soak the curtains again.

• If you need a larger pot, use your washing machine.

• Synthetic curtains do not dye well.

• Wear rubber gloves and exercise caution when handling hot fabric.