How to Dye Denim in a Machine With Rit

Rubber kitchen gloves protect your hands from the dye.

Dye your denim in the washing machine with Rit dye. Because you'll need to open the washing machine when it has water in it, use only a top-loading machine. The water has to drain out of front-loading machines before the door opens. The dye will stain other fabrics and surfaces, so handle it carefully and clean up any spills immediately. You wouldn't want a big blue splotch on the washing machine. The dye comes in both liquid and powder forms. Both work well.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden paint stir stick
• Long rubber gloves
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Turn on the washing machine, set for hot water. Let it run until the drum is at least halfway full of water. Open the lid to interrupt the cycle.

2. Pour the dye into the machine. One 8-ounce bottle dyes two pounds of denim, according to the Create for Less website. Stir the dye with a wooden paint stick to mix it evenly. Throw the stick in the trash.

3. Place the denim in the washing machine. Do not add more than four denim items. Make sure no parts are folded or smashed. For example, if one sleeve of a jacket is inside out, the dye may not turn out as dark on the outside of the sleeve.

4. Put on long rubber gloves. Immerse the denim in the dye. Move the items around in the dyed water with your gloved hands.

5. Close the lid of the washer. Let the denim sit in the dye for 30 to 40 minutes. The longer the denim sits in the dye, the darker it becomes.

6. Turn on the washing machine to allow it to go through the rest of its cycle.

7. Remove the denim. Wring it out over the washing machine and take it to a sink. Rinse out the fabric with cold running water.

8. Put the denim back into the washing machine and wash it as usual. Hang it to dry or use a dryer.

9. Wet a sponge with water and wipe down the inside of the washing machine to remove any dye residue.

References

• Create for Less: Rit Dye Liquid 8fl oz Denim Blue