How to Dye Silk Scarves With Fiber Reactive Dye
Whether you like to create your own specialty-designed scarves, or you just want to make a scarf a brighter color, fiber reactive dye is the ideal choice for dyeing silk scarves. Fiber reactive dyes bond with the molecules in natural fiber materials, making it stronger and more durable than most other dyes. Silk works especially well with fiber reactive dye. In addition to the dye, you will need several other hand dyeing essentials to properly color your silk scarves at home.
Instructions
-
-
1
Wash the silk scarves. Dye works best on items that are washed.
-
2
Tie rubber bands in various places around the silk scarves if you plan on tie-dying them.
-
-
3
Soak the silk scarves in a solution of water and soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate. Use 1 cup to 1 gallon of water. Let the silk scarves soak for up to one hour.
-
4
Dissolve 1 tablespoon of urea for every 1 cup of water in a large dye pot. Urea is a chemical that allows enough dye as possible to dissolve into the water for strong colors and also keeps the fabric damp for a longer period of time to help the dye set in.
-
5
Add 4 or 5 teaspoons of the fiber reactive dye per cup of water into the urea solution. Mix until well dissolved.
-
6
Submerge the scarves into the dye solution in the pot and place the pot on the stove.
-
7
Heat the dye solution slowly to a simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring the silk scarves in the solution every so often.
-
8
Remove the pot from the heat and place the silk scarves in the washing machine. Wash on a cold cycle with no soap.
-
9
Wash the scarves twice more using warm or hot water with a fiber dye detergent that will help stop the chemical reaction of the dye.
-
10
Allow the dyed silk scarves to air dry completely before wearing.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
As an alternative to heating the silk scarves in the dye pot, you can spray the dye solution onto the scarves using spray bottles and wrap the wet scarves in plastic and leave them out in the hot sun for several hours. This is best when the weather in your area is considerably warm and sunny.
Look for fiber reactive dye and the other dyeing essentials at your local craft store.
Don't forget to remove rubber bands before washing the dyed scarves if you are tie-dying.
Wear rubber gloves when working with dye and other chemicals as the dye will stain and some of the chemicals, such as sodium carbonate will irritate your skin.
Wear a mask when applying the dye as the fumes from the dye can be strong.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
