Dye Directions

Make a dye bath using basic craft supplies.

When clothing becomes faded and weathered, it can cause your outfits to appear cheap and old. However, it can cost a lot of money to replace your faded clothing. One solution is to dye your old, faded clothing to make it look brand new. You can find clothing dye at any craft store or supermarket in a wide array of colors, which can be combined with table salt to produce a more vibrant and stable color.

Things You'll Need

• Large stock pot
• Table salt
• Long-handled spoon
• Liquid fabric dye
• Fabric clothing

Instructions

1. Fill a large stock pot with 2 gallons of water, then place the stock pot onto a stove. Heat the stock pot over high heat until it begins to boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, which will allow the water to simmer.

2. Pour 1 cup of regular table salt into the simmering water, and stir the solution for 2 minutes to allow the salt to completely dissolve in the water. Salt helps the fabric dye bind to cotton or wool fabrics more readily.

3. Pour in one 16 oz. container of liquid fabric dye, any color you prefer. Stir the solution for an additional 2 minutes to incorporate the dye into the saline water.

4. Insert your fabric clothing into the dye bath, and push the fabric down with a spoon to ensure that the fabric is completely submerged. Allow the fabric to simmer in the dye bath for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir the clothing occasionally.

5. Rinse out the dyed clothing in warm water until the water no longer shows signs of color, then rinse the clothing with cold water for 2 minutes. Dry as usual, per the instructions on the clothing tags.

References

• P Burch: How To Tie Dye