How to Dye Bathroom Rugs

Dye your bathroom rug to match your color scheme.

Hooked and woven rugs can easily be dyed to match your bathroom, but it is important to use the right type of dye for your rug. Rugs with rubber backs can be damaged in hot dye baths. Cool water fiber-reactive dyes color bathroom rugs without affecting the rubber backing.

Dyes must be color-fast, and heat- and water-resistant, if being used on an item in a high-humidity bathroom. Fiber-reactive dye is the most permanent of all dye types. The dye molecule becomes part of the cellulose fiber molecule, so it never runs or bleeds.

Things You'll Need

• Synthrapol detergent
• Bucket
• Stirer
• Gloves
• Salt
• Fiber-reactive dye
• Soda ash

Instructions

Vat Dyeing

1. Wash rug in Synthrapol detergent to remove oils, sizing and dirt. Put in plastic bucket. Fill bucket with warm water (105 degrees Fahrenheit) so fabric can move freely.

2. Dissolve dye powder completely in water. Add rug and stir 10 minutes to soak it completely in the dye bath.

3. Add salt in four equal portions 5 minutes apart. Stir after each addition to dissolve completely and spread dye evenly.

4. Add sodium carbonate (soda ash) in three steps 5 minutes apart. Mix completely. Stir for another 15 minutes, keeping the fabric agitated in the dye bath to make the color dye evenly.

5. Drain bucket. Rinse rug under cold running water. Increase water temperature to warm and rinse thoroughly. Wash rug in a machine with Synthrapol to remove loose dye. Repeat washing until rinse water is completely clear.

Washing Machine: Cellulose Fibers

1. Wash rug in Synthrapol. Set aside. Fill washer half way with hot water. Add salt equal to the dry weight of your rug. One pound dry weight equals 5 to 7 square yards of fabric.

2. Use ½ to 1 teaspoon fiber-reactive dye such as Procion MX for very light colors and up to 8 tablespoons for dark shades. Add to washer and agitate for 5 minutes until dissolved.

3. Put rug in machine. Set for normal wash and agitate for 20 minutes. Extend the cycle without draining dye by turning the machine off and restarting at the beginning of the wash cycle.

4. Dissolve soda ash in a quart of hot water. Add slowly to dye bath in thirds, 5 minutes apart. Do not pour directly on rug.

5. Agitate for 50 minutes (30 minutes for light colors). Finish the complete cycle. Repeat with hot water and Synthrapol until all residual dye is removed.

Washing Machine: Protein Fibers

1. Use fiber-reactive acid dyes for nylon and animal fibers including wool, mohair, and angora. All will dye in top-loading washing machines, except wool, which will turn into felt in a washer.

2. Fill tub to low level and put in rug. Add water until it covers the rug. Remove it. Program a hot wash/cool rinse for the longest cycle possible.

3. Add dye powder according to the color and intensity you want and agitate until dissolved. Add rug and agitate 5 minutes. Add one cup vinegar, but not directly on the rug. Agitate 5 minutes.

4. Stop washer. Reset to maximum length without letting water drain. Run through a complete cycle. Add Synthrapol, set on cool wash and repeat with a long rinse to remove all excess dye from rug.

5. Wash a load of rags in hot water with bleach to remove all excess dye in the machine

References

• Paula Birch's All About Hand Dyeing: About Fiber Reactive Dyes
• Colorado Wholesale Dye Corp.:Vat Dyeing In a Bucket
• Jacquard Products: Immersion Dyeing
• Jacquard Acid Dye: Immersion Dyeing in a Washing Machine