How to Dye Bamboo Fiber
Bamboo fiber is a new material that manufacturers have begun using for clothing and fabric. This fiber, much like cotton and rayon, can be dyed at home at little cost to you. Dyeing bamboo fiber is a time-consuming, yet rewarding project. However, the process can also be challenging for those who are new to fabric dyeing. The dye is toxic, so if you decide to dye your own bamboo fiber, you must follow these instructions carefully.
Things You'll Need
- Bamboo fiber
- Fiber reactive dye
- Urea
- Sodium carbonate
- Plastic squirt bottles (8 oz.)
- Face mask
- Plastic gloves
- Washing machine
- Laundry detergent
- Synthrapol detergent
- Bucket
- Plastic bags
- Mixing spoon
Instructions
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1
Wash the bamboo fiber before dyeing it. You can hand wash the material, or put it in a washing machine. Either way, use laundry detergent when washing it.
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2
Place 1 tbsp. of urea into 1 cup of water. Allow the urea to dissolve. This will be enough to dye an entire bamboo fiber garment or large piece of bamboo fiber cloth. Wear a face mask and plastic gloves when handling the dye, as it is toxic.
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3
Place 4 tbsp. of fiber reactive dye (the color of your choosing) into the urea and water solution. Allow the dye to dissolve. If you are attempting to dye your garment black, dissolve four times as much dye into the solution.
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4
Pour the colored solution into an 8 oz. squeeze bottle. Make sure that you are wearing a face mask and gloves. You don't want to get any of the dye in your mouth or nose, and you don't want it to stain your hands.
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5
Fill a large bucket with 1 gallon of cool water. Add a cup of sodium carbonate to the water and stir it.
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Soak the bamboo fiber in this solution for 15 minutes.
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Remove the bamboo fiber and ring it out so that it is no longer dripping wet.
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8
Lay the bamboo fiber flat on a surface covered in plastic bags.
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9
Squeeze the dye solution onto the bamboo fiber. Cover the fiber to your liking with the dye. Remember to keep your gloves and face mask on for this step.
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10
Wrap the wet, dyed bamboo fiber in a plastic bag. Allow the bamboo fiber to react with the dye. This should take anywhere from 8 to 24 hours. The bamboo fiber must be wet for the reaction to take place, so do not dry it. The dye should stay on the bamboo fiber for no more than 24 hours and no less than two hours. Make sure that the bamboo fiber is placed in a warm area. The temperature should not be under 70 degrees F.
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11
Rinse the dyed bamboo fiber thoroughly in cold water.
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12
Wash the rinsed bamboo fiber on the cold cycle of your washing machine with Synthrapol detergent.
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Wash the bamboo fiber twice more on the hot cycle of your washing machine. Use the Synthrapol detergent for each of these washings.
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Double rinse the last wash.
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Allow the dyed bamboo fibers to dry naturally and they will be ready to wear or use in your craft projects.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not wash the dyed bamboo fibers with other clothing for the first few washes. Clean out your wash machine thoroughly after washing the newly dyed bamboo fiber. If you get dye on your skin, use ReDuRan, which gently cleans dye from skin.
Do not reuse the buckets, bottles and spoons used in the dyeing process for purposes other than dyeing. The dye is toxic and the materials should be thrown away after use or refused for other dyeing projects.
