How to Fix Dye in Rayon Tie-Dye
While some people mistakenly think rayon is a synthetic fiber, it is in fact made from processed plant fiber. Because rayon comes from cellulose, or wood pulp, you can dye it using the same mordants and fixatives as cotton, hemp or linen. The dyes used for plant fibers are called fiber-reactive dyes. For true colorfastness, fiber-reactive dyes last much longer and remain much brighter than all-purpose drugstore dyes. You will not encounter dye leaching from the fabric with every cleaning.
Things You'll Need
- 1 cup soda ash
- Rubber gloves
- Fiber-reactive dye
- Plastic cups and spoons
- Squeeze bottles
- Plastic bag
Instructions
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1
Fill a sink with enough warm water to cover the rayon garment. Add 1 cup of soda ash. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and swish the water for one minute or until the soda ash is dissolved.
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2
Add the rayon item to the sink and soak it for 30 minutes.
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3
Mix the dye in a plastic cup with warm water. Add 2 tablespoons of dye powder to the cup, then pour the water in, stirring constantly. Continue to stir the dye for one minute or until all lumps are dissolved.
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4
Pour the dye into squeeze bottles.
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5
Squirt the dye onto the tied rayon item, still wet with soda ash water. Place the item in a bag and leave the bag in direct sunlight for two to three hours. The heat is essential for setting the dye.
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6
Take the rayon item out of the bag and put it in the sink. Rinse the tied garment with cold water until it runs clear, then untie it and rinse it again. Fill the sink with more cold water and add a few drops of detergent. Allow the item to soak for half an hour, then rinse it again and hang it to dry.
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7
Dry clean your rayon tie-dye instead of washing in the future for maximum colorfastness and fabric longevity.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
