Unique Ways to Dye Fabric With Common Products
Dying fabrics is a complex chemical process that is custom designed to the specific fiber content of the fabric receiving the dye. The complexity of the dying process ensures that the dye absorbs evenly and is locked into the fabric fibers. You can test your skill at dying fabric with common products you find around the hose. It would be best to use cotton or cotton-based fabric.
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Red and Pink
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Cherry juice can serve as a red dye. The best products to produce a red or pink color will be red wine or dark red-colored fruit like cherries or pomegranate seeds. You will need to crush the fruit to release the natural juices. Make sure you have enough juice to cover the fabric you are trying to dye. Soak the fabric in the wine or the fruit juice. If you can heat the mixture over a low heat burner, the heat will help infuse the fabric fibers with the red coloring.
Yellow and Brown
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Stamens contain flower pollen, a potent dye. Coffee, tea and flower pollen can create stains or dyes with yellow to brownish hues. Soaking the fabric in boiling coffee or tea will help set the color within the fibers of the fabric. Stamens, the tips of lily flowers, have potent staining properties. You can crush and rub the stamens on the fabric you wish to dye. Wear rubber gloves when handling the stamens; their dye is strong. Hand wash the stamen-dyed fabric in hot water and laundry detergent before you touch it with your bare hands or place it near any other fabrics you do not wish to be stained.
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Green
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Grass contains a green pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants, can serve as a source of natural green fabric dye. It would be difficult to extract enough chlorophyll to immerse a section of fabric, but there are ways to get the chlorophyll to the fabric. Select green and soft leaves and grass clippings. Wrap them in the fabric you wish to dye and pound and crush them with a rubber mallet. You can also use a rolling pin to crush the chlorophyll into the fabric.
Blue
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Blue ink pens can be used to dye fabric. Blue ink can work as a fabric dye. Place your fabric in a leak-proof container and break open a few blue ink pens over the fabric. Wear disposable gloves and help spread the ink around the fabric with your fingers. Wipe off the excess ink and wait for the fabric to dry. Set the stain by covering the fabric completely in a towel (the towel will get stained as well) and iron the towel with a hot iron. The heat will fuse the ink color to the fabric fibers.
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