How to Dye White Fabric Black
Dyeing your own fabric is not only easy, it is also quite inexpensive. For just a few dollars, you can purchase an all-purpose fabric dye from any local arts and crafts store. To dye a light fabric a dark color it's best to dye it in a pot of simmering water, which will help the color adhere to the fabric fibers better. To get the best color results, use 100 percent cotton fabric. Although various fabrics can be dyed successfully, 100 percent cotton will render the richest, most even color.
Things You'll Need
- Large stockpot
- 1 bottle liquid all-purpose black fabric dye
- Stainless steel spoon
- Mild detergent
Instructions
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1
Fill a large stockpot with 6 gallons of water. Place the pot on your stove top and bring the water to simmer.
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2
Pour 1 bottle (8 ozs.) of black all-purpose liquid fabric dye into the water. This "recipe" is good for 2 lbs. of fabric or a pair of jeans/pants, a dress/skirt, two sweatshirts, a tablecloth or a messenger bag. For smaller items under 2 lbs., cut this recipe in half. For items that are over 2 lbs., you'll need to dye the fabric in your washing machine.
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3
Saturate your fabric under warm running water. Gently wring the fabric out to remove dripping water, then place it into the stockpot of simmering water.
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4
Stir the fabric in the water for a minimum of 30 minutes using a stainless steel spoon. Leave the fabric in the dye for up to 1 hour, or until the full strength of the color has been reached.
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5
Remove the fabric from the simmering water, and rinse it under warm water.
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Add a 1/4 cup of a mild detergent to the fabric, and continue to wash the fabric, by hand, under warm water.
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Rinse the fabric out under cool water once the water has run clear. This will help to seal the color in and prevent fading and bleeding.
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Dry the fabric as you normally would or according to laundry care instructions.
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References
Resources
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