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1. To determine how much dye is needed, weigh the item to be dyed on a food scale or estimate the weight. As a general guideline, one liquid bottle / two powder packages dyes 2 pounds 1 kilogram of dry fabric. If you are trying to achieve a very bold color, then double the dye quantity.
2. Fiber content and weight effect how color appears. If you are in doubt as to whether your fabric will accept dye or achieve the color you want, we recommend testing a swatch first.
3. Before dyeing, remove any visible stains on the garment. This will help achieve uniform color results when dyeing. Pre-wash item in warm, soapy water without any fabric softener. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
4. Cover work area with plastic table cover or newspaper and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills.
5. Wear rubber gloves to protect hands from getting stained and to insulate them when working with hot water.
6. Fill a stainless steel pot with enough water for the fabric to move freely. We recommend using 3 gallons 11.5 L of water for every pound 1/2 kilogram of fabric.
7. To enhance the color: (1) add 1 cup 240 mL of salt when dyeing fabrics containing cotton, rayon, ramie or linen; (2) add 1 cup / 240 mL of vinegar when dyeing fabrics containing nylon, silk or wool.
8. Add 1 teaspoon 5 mL of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
9. Cover pot and heat water on stove top to just below boiling (or around 200ºF / 93ºC).
10. If using powder dye, dissolve thoroughly in 2 cups 470 mL of very hot water.
11. When water begins to simmer, pour dissolved powder dye or well-shaken liquid dye into dyebath and mix well.
12. Test color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye. If color is too dark, add more water.
13. Wet the fabric, squeeze out any excess water and add it to the dyebath.
14. Keep temperature at a low simmer for the duration of your dyeing.
15. Stir slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are the most critical. Stirring helps to ensure an even color with no splotches.
16. Item can remain in dyebath from 10 minutes up to one hour with stirring. If dyeing a polyester cotton blend, keep the fabric in the dyebath for at least 30 minutes to ensure that the color takes fully.  Nylon tends to dye very quickly and much darker than other fibers so the actual time needed in the dyebath is less.
17. When desired color is achieved, remove from dye bath. Fabric will look darker when wet and will dry lighter. Squeeze out excess dye.
18. To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing, following these instructions.
19. Rinse in warm water and then gradually cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
20. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

A note about dye and washing machines: If you have never used dye in a washing machine, we get why you would be nervous! Who wants a purple washing machine? Well, maybe us. Nonetheless, we can promise you Rit won’t permanently stain any metal component on your machine. Rit has been used in washing machines for decades, dating back to the time when the electric washing machine was invented in the 1950s. We coined the phrase “Push Button Color!” in the early 60s to promote the marriage between Rit and washing machines. We even launched liquid dye just so that it would be easier to use Rit in your machine. With that much history, you can feel confident that your washing machine will stay dye free for decades to come.

With the growing popularity of front loading washing machines, we have found that dye may stain the plastic parts around the machine if it is not cleaned up right away; so it’s important to clean up immediately after dyeing, which we detail how below. 

Front Loader Instructions

To determine how much dye is needed, reference this load size guide. If you are trying to achieve a very bold color, then double the dye ratio. We do not recommend using a front loading washing machine to dye extra large items or multiple items.