How to Dye Sueded Cotton
Sueded cotton has gone through a chemical or mechanical process to raise the fabric’s nap. The resulting softer feel and appearance is used to create several garments and products, from shirts to sheets and comforters. The cotton product is durable enough to withstand dyeing at home with store bought products. Use the correct tools and amounts of fiber-reactive fabric dye to create the desired effect on your sueded cotton products. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Phosphate-free laundry soap
- Rubber gloves
- Fiber-reactive dye
- Small plastic container
- Water
- Large plastic container
- Soda ash
- Iodized salt
Instructions
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1
Weigh your sueded clothing to give you some idea how much fabric dye, water, salt and soda ash you’ll require. For instance, dyeing 1 pound of sueded material generally requires 1 tablespoon fabric dye. Consult the instructions of your fabric dye for more specific instructions.
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2
Launder and dry your sueded clothing according to the label directions. Use a phosphate-free laundry detergent to remove any dirt, grime or other unwanted products from your clothing before dyeing.
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3
Slip on a pair of rubber gloves and pour the correct amount of fiber-reactive color dye into a small plastic container according to the amount of sueded cotton being dyed. Pour 1/4 tablespoon water into the plastic cup and work it into the dye. Continue to add more water until a paste consistency is achieved.
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4
Pour enough water to accommodate your sueded clothing, according to the package directions, into a large plastic container, such as a plastic storage bin. Add the pasted fiber-reactive dye and stir until the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
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5
Pour any other additives, such as soda ash or iodized salt, required by the package directions into the colored water. Stir the water to incorporate the additives, which help set the dye.
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6
Submerge the sueded fabric into the water bath. Stir the water continuously for anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, or according to the package directions, to thoroughly distribute the dye through the fabric.
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7
Transfer the sueded fabric to a sink, and rinse it under a cool tap until it runs clear. Squeeze the garment gently to remove the excess water, and dry according to the label’s directions.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a washing machine for larger amounts of fabric, or over 3 to 4 pounds, or if you don’t have a bucket or basin large enough to accommodate the dye bath and sueded fabric.
