How to Dye a Wedding Dress

Dye your wedding gown to the color of your choice.

Perhaps you wish your wedding dress to be a less traditional color for your wedding, or you have already worn it and would like to extend its life. It is possible to dye your wedding gown the color of your choice from the comfort of your home. By using this dyeing technique, you can save money on the dyeing process and avoid having to buy an entirely new dress in your desired color. The perfect shade of color for your wedding dress awaits you.

Things You'll Need

• Digital scale
• RIT Dye (1 oz. per 1 lb. of dress)
• Water
• Sink or bathtub
• Large, plastic or metal spoon
• Plastic or wooden hanger
• Bucket
• Soapy water
• Rag

Instructions

1. Weigh your wedding dress on a digital scale.

2. Purchase one ounce of RIT Dye in the color of your choice for every one pound of dress you have. If you are going from a very light color to a very dark color or vice versa, additional dye may be needed.

3. Run water in your sink. Once it gets as hot as possible, plug the sink and fill it a few inches below the top. The heat is what creates a successful dyeing job. The hotter the water, the better the dye is absorbed into your fabric. A temperature of 140º and 180º F is recommended. If your dress does not fit in your sink, do this step in your bathtub.

4. Add the bottle(s) of RIT Dye to your water and stir thoroughly. Use a large, plastic or metal spoon. Do not add the dress yet.

5. Wet your dress with hot water in a different sink or bathtub (not in the dye).

6. Soak your wet dress in the dye-filled sink or bathtub.

7. Stir your dress in the dye-filled water for 25 minutes without stopping. Use a large, plastic or metal spoon.

8. Remove the wedding dress from the dye-filled water and rinse it in warm water. Once it has fully rinsed in warm water, begin to rinse in progressively cooler water.

9. Rinse the dress in cold water until the water running from it appears clear.

10. Hang the dress on a plastic or wooden hanger and place a bucket underneath. Wait for it to fully air dry. This is likely to take overnight.

11. Scrub your sink or bathtub with hot, soapy water and a rag to remove any possible stains.

Tips & Warnings

• RIT Dye warns that it is "not for use on dry clean only fabrics." It is still possible to dye your dry-clean-only fabrics successfully, but proceed at your own risk.

References

• Young House Love: I Wanted to Dye
• RIT Dye: Dyeing Techniques