How to Dye Cotton Clothes

There are many techniques to dye cotton clothes.

Cotton fabric is easily dyed using commercial dyes, which are commonly available at supermarkets. This fabric dye is available in both liquid and powder form. There are many methods of dyeing cotton clothes. Two common techniques that are easy to do at home are the washing machine technique and the bucket technique.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine or bucket
• Cotton fabric dye
• Wooden spoon or dowel

Instructions

Washing Machine Technique

1. Fill the washing machine with enough hot water to allow the fabric to move freely.

2. Dissolve the pre-measured dye into 2 cups of hot water, before adding it to the washing machine.

3. Thoroughly wet the fabric to be dyed in hot water before placing it in the dye.

4. Set the washing machine to its longest cycle. The fabric must be in the dye for at least 30 minutes before the rinse cycle begins.

5. Rinse the fabric in cold water until the rinse water is clear. Wash darker shades in warm water with mild soap, and repeat the cold water rinse.

6. Place fabric in the dryer to dry. Clean the washing machine by setting it to the highest water level possible with hot water. Add detergent and 1 cup of bleach, and allow the machine to complete an entire wash cycle.

Bucket Technique

1. Fill the bucket with enough hot water to allow the fabric to move around freely.

2. Dissolve the pre-measured dye into 2 cups of hot water, before adding it to the bucket.

3. Thoroughly wet the fabric to be dyed in hot water before placing it in the dye. Stir the fabric in the dye bath constantly for 10 to 30 minutes.

4. Rinse with warm water and then gradually cooler water until the water becomes clear. Wash the clothes in warm water and then repeat the rinse with cold water.

5. Place the clothes in the dryer to dry. Clean the bucket immediately with bleach.

References

• Rit: Washing Machine
• Rit: Sink or Bucket