How to dye fabric at home: affordable methods

Pigment selection

What natural dye can be used to dye fabric:

tea;
cocoa - for a chocolate shade;
rich coffee will turn black;
onion peel;
wolf berries - red;
blueberries, blackberries for a juicy purple color;
cranberry;
walnut peel - beige or sandy;
spinach, sorrel, elderberry leaves will color the canvas green;
beets for the pink to burgundy range;
cabbage;
turmeric, celandine – orange, red;
carrot juice, sea buckthorn.

On a note

Tip: to consolidate the results of using natural pigments, use vinegar essence and salt.

How you can dye things: stores sell a special fabric dye in the form of a liquid, paste, spray or powder. The main advantage of such a tool is that there are clear instructions, it’s difficult to make a mistake. Some people use food coloring.

Is it possible to dye fabric with hair dye: yes, but the color may not be very saturated. Especially if you use dark shades on heavily faded material. If you are not careful, the material will become stained.

Natural fibers are painted with acrylic paints. It is not possible to fill artificial or synthetic organza with pigment using acrylic paints.

White fabric dye comes in acrylic, aniline, or spray form. It is applied to pre-bleached fabric to give a pure shade.

Types of Dyes

Retail outlets offer a variety of dyes for shoes and clothing. Fabric paint is sold in various forms. We’ll look at how to dye fabric with brilliant green or other dyes below. The most popular fabric paint:

acrylic
aniline
stamped
plastisol
natural

Acrylic paints

The most popular water-based fabric dye is safe for human life and health. Easy to use, does not wash out after dyeing. After painting, it is better to wash products at a temperature of no more than 35 C.

Aniline dyes

They are painted at a temperature of about 95 C, fixing the color by adding salt. For cotton, soda is also added, and for wool, vinegar is added. The product may fade for some time. The technique is called “batik”. In the “gradient” technique, the material is lowered in parts, resulting in coloring of varying intensities. If you squeeze too hard after painting, you will get streaks.

Stamp inks

With their help, hospitals, hotels and other government institutions label bed linen, towels, and bedspreads. They have different compositions, which depend on their application.

Plastisol paints

They are applied to outerwear, shoes and accessories as it has the property of reflecting light in the dark or under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

Natural paints

Before chemical dyes began to be produced, natural dyes were used. They are less durable and the intended color is not always obtained. But they are hypoallergenic and suitable for people with sensitive skin and allergic diseases. There are many natural coloring substances known: turmeric, onion peel, orange peel, blueberries, blackberries, beets. A sufficient amount of paint is added to the water, the item is placed in it, heated to 60 C, and the procedure lasts up to 40 minutes.

Preparation

Preparing to paint things at home:

You will need a clean canvas. It is thoroughly washed and rinsed. There should be no detergent left. It will react with the dye, the result will be unpredictable.
Before washing and subsequent dyeing of the fabric, stains must be removed. With them the color will be uneven. A non-aggressive stain remover is needed.
For intensity, the material is boiled for 10 minutes or bleached before the process.
It is necessary to remove all unnecessary objects: buttons, snaps, and remove the metal lock. Painting the fabric will ruin them and may cause rust in the future.
What paint can be used to paint different colors of materials? Light and white clothes lend themselves to all shades. Colored - only dark, but can be pre-bleached. How to dye fabric at home? Black products will first have to be bleached for a long time, this can damage the structure of the fibers. To turn a black item made from natural fibers into a gray color, it is enough to boil it several times with an aggressive powder. You can add just a little bleach.
Natural fabric is easy to paint. It's easy to dye cotton, wool or linen at home. They quickly absorb paint and do not fade. Finished synthetic products are almost not painted. Chemical fibers are colored at the initial stages of production. You will need special paint for synthetics.
A new linen or cotton item is saturated with starch. Before dyeing clothes, it must be removed. Make a solution of soap and soda and boil for twenty minutes. Then rinse to remove all excess substances.
Wool yarn is rolled into skeins and tied with rope in several places. It shouldn't get tangled in the process. For convenient turning over, the skeins are strung on a rope.
Fabric dyeing is done in distilled water. Tap water is softened by adding a teaspoon of soda per ten liters.

The amount of dye depends on the weight of the product. How to paint things with paint is described below.

Inventory preparation

To paint things you will need:

Enameled or glass fireproof container. There should be no chipped pieces. Before using aluminum or galvanized basins, scale must be removed from them.
The size of the dish should allow the product to float freely without creasing. Fabric dye will not absorb evenly.
To mix the paint and turn things over, you will need two wooden sticks. They are pre-cleaned of knots/irregularities.
Scales or measuring cup/spoon and paper towels are required.

Important: work is carried out with rubber gloves. The dye will damage delicate skin or will not wash off for several days.

Step-by-step algorithm for dyeing wool yarn

So, after preparing the dye and all the tools, you can start working:

straighten the skein of yarn, but tie it in several places so that the threads do not get tangled in the water. Be sure to wet it first: this way the paint will adhere better and show the color ;
place the yarn in a container;
Fill the threads with the paint solution so that they are completely and evenly covered with liquid. It is impossible for even one thread to come out, as it will not be dyed;
Depending on the composition of the dye, let it sit for a certain time. If you use natural paint, the procedure will take about an hour and a half. The water should be hot enough, but not boiling. If you paint using chemicals, the holding time is usually 30–40 minutes . Stir the solution from time to time so that the yarn is dyed evenly;
after that, remove the skein from the solution, let the excess water drain and cool;
Rinse the wool thoroughly, changing the water several times. To strengthen the paint, you can use a little vinegar when rinsing.

Important! If you want to dye the yarn in several colors, then use chemical dyes. They can be diluted in small quantities (for example, in glasses), the wool can be placed in a relatively flat tray and poured over it in different places with different dyes. After this, make sure that all places are covered with liquid, pack the yarn in plastic and wait for the required time. Then the yarn will need to be rinsed.

General recommendations

Tips on how to dye clothes at home:

if there are several products, they are painted one by one;
wool product is diluted at high temperature;
before dyeing flax and denim, the paint is mixed with a pinch of calcined salt, then dissolved with water;
unevenly dyed viscose is placed briefly in a hot solution of washing powder - the color will become even;
It is recommended to dye silk by adding a tablespoon of vinegar;
the product that will be altered is ripped out before painting;
to avoid burning, place a board at the bottom of the container;
It is not difficult to dye a faded item; it absorbs the dye easily;
Woolen clothes are dried flat out to prevent them from stretching.

Synthetic products should not be dyed yourself. Where to dye the fabric: you need to take the item to the dry cleaner. Professionals will do this evenly and correctly.

Useful

Interesting: you can mark a thing with ink, for example, when sending a child to camp. It will be impossible to iron the painted area and erase the mark.

Dyeing different materials

In order not to make a mistake with the choice of dye and method, it is worth learning how to dye fabric at home.

Cotton

It fades quickly and fades. You will need durable cotton dye and soft water, melt or rain. How to dye cotton fabric:

store-bought product is diluted in accordance with the specified proportions;
the composition is heated to 50 degrees, the item is poured;
cook for 20 minutes, add calcined salt;
continue cooking for 35 minutes;
take out and rinse with warm water.

At the end, the cotton fabric is rinsed at a cool temperature with the addition of a 5 liter spoon of vinegar.

How to dye a cotton jacket: the principle is the same, but add a few tablespoons of salt after boiling. This is necessary to reduce shedding.

Linen

Fabric paint, how to use with flax fibers:

throw the pigment into the water and mix;
place the item and cook for half an hour with the addition of a spoonful of salt;
the finished product is rinsed with cold water and vinegar;
it is wrung out and laid out on a towel.

Tip: if you need the fabric urgently, you can iron it after 35 minutes.

How to dye wool

How to dye: Aniline dye is best.

How to dye a woolen item at home:

one sachet is dissolved in 0.5 liters of water;
add warm water to the composition;
place the product in the container and wait until it boils;
after 25 minutes, add 75 ml of acetic acid.

How to dye fabric brown: boil it in onion peels at the rate of 400 g of peel per 100 wool. Rinse in the same way.

The finished clothes are placed over the bathtub/basin and left so that the bulk of the dyeing liquid is glassed off. Then rinse with cold water. The last rinse is accompanied by lemon juice.

How to dye cashmere: the rules are the same, but use a special dye marked “for wool.” However, it is better to take such a delicate item to the dry cleaner.

Silk

Dyeing of silk products:

wash new material in case it is soaked in something;
dilute the dye slowly with water, adding a little liquid to form a thick paste;
pour the product into 0.5 liters of water, stir and strain through a clean cloth;
dilute according to instructions;
to dye a silk skirt or dress faster, add a spoonful of salt per liter;
the composition is boiled, the heat is reduced and the clothes are placed;
after 30-40 minutes, turn off the stove and leave the item in the pan for half an hour.

Freshly dyed fabric is washed at a hot temperature many times, and finally at a cold temperature.

Synthetics

How to dye synthetic fabric:

dilute 20 ml of formic acid 85% in 10 liters of water;
the dye is dissolved in the composition;
stir thoroughly and place the synthetic product;
cook at a temperature of 40-45 degrees, no more;
After half an hour, rinse with cold water.

You need to know not only how to paint synthetics. The finished item will have to be washed separately at least three times, it will fade noticeably.

The dye for tulle should be durable and bright. This polyester material does not absorb pigment easily. Tulle can be starched for dye fastness.

Polyester

How to dye polyester:

soak clothes with washing powder for half an hour at temperatures up to 40 degrees;
rinse with the addition of ammonia;
use only a special dye for polyester, diluted strictly according to the instructions;
the time and method indicated on the packaging differ from one manufacturer to another.

In order not to spoil a synthetic item, you must completely follow the instructions and not use natural dyes. Faded fabric made from polyester fibers is easier to dye.

Viscose

How to dye viscose at home:

combine the dye and calcined salt;
paint for artificial fabric is the same as for natural fabric;
dilute in hot water;
put half of the liquid into a pan, place viscose material;
slowly bring to a boil, add a little salt;
after a quarter of an hour, they take out the item, pour the second half of the dye into the dish;
How to dye viscose fabric further: boil for 20-30 minutes.

An unevenly colored item is rinsed in a powder solution, then in clean water.

Choosing paint

You can only use professional coloring products; they are available in powder or gel form. It is imperative to read the instructions for the product, as the manufacturer notes the types of fabrics, dyeing time, dye consumption and color on the packaging. You need to buy a product designed specifically for your fabric, and in sufficient quantity, in accordance with the weight of your item, preferably with a small margin.

Coloring of products

The type of clothing dye you use at home depends on the item.

Painting a T-shirt with gouache:

combine PVA glue and gouache in half;
apply a design to the material with a brush;
When changing colors, thoroughly wipe the brush;
For a three-dimensional pattern, press lightly; for a flat pattern, press in.

Gouache or watercolor are ideal paints for cotton at home. If you don't like the product, it's easy to wash it.

How to dye corduroy pants:

use purchased dye according to the instructions;
fix the result with a vinegar solution at the rate of 1 spoon per 5 liters.

1Velvet is a dense and durable material, but delicate. It should not be dyed or machine washed. 2How to dye a cotton shirt: like any other cotton item. In soft water, fixing the result with vinegar solution. 3How to paint a synthetic dress: use disperse paint. Other dyes will not be absorbed, will run off, and streaks may remain. 4Is it possible to dye a chiffon dress? It is better to take such a delicate item to the dry cleaner for painting. A chiffon blouse should also be protected from independent experiments. 5A white dress made of natural material can be colored with any pigment. You can try natural dyes. Blueberries and blackberries will help color them blue or deep purple. Folk remedies can easily dye thin fabrics made from natural fibers.

How to dye a towel at home:

dilute permanent paint according to instructions;
pour 10 liters of water and boil;
Throw a towel into boiling water and cook for an hour until the fabric turns a different color;
rinse thoroughly several times in warm and cold water;
fix the result with vinegar.

It's easy to dye the fabric a different color if the desired color is darker or brighter than the previous one.

It is better to paint jeans or other natural materials blue. It is not persistent, but does not spoil the structure of the fibers.

Other fabric dyeing options

How to paint a tarpaulin black: construction paint. It will take a long time to dry. Rubber paint is also suitable for tarpaulin fabric.

How to paint canvas fabric with rubber paint:

apply a thin layer to the surface;
leave to dry according to instructions.

Under the influence of such a dye, tarpaulins of any shade can be painted even white.

Painting gauze in different colors:

the material absorbs almost any dye;
You can use the juice of berries and fruits, a decoction of herbs.

How to dye fabric with tea at home:

Brew tea to the required intensity depending on the desired color;
put the product in it and leave for 30-40 minutes.

The method is suitable for natural fibers.

Knitwear does not require special dye. You need to know the composition of the fibers, that’s enough. The only rule is not to boil or cook in very hot water, so that the knitwear does not stretch.

How to dye a stain on clothes:

Use a colored marker to paint over the problem area;
Apply a clean cloth and iron from the inside out.

The paint for black fabric should be saturated. Black fabric paint, how to paint:

dilute 1 package per 0.5 l;
pour warm water over the mixture and place on the stove;
when the liquid reaches 50 degrees, place the item there;
after boiling, remove the product;
add 2 liters of saline solution to the pan;
place the product again and leave for 35 minutes, let it boil a little;
After that, remove from the stove and leave for another half hour.

Rinse the finished item under warm temperature. Black lace is dyed in the same way, but the exposure time is reduced by 1/3.

You can paint tulle with improvised means: brilliant green, potassium permanganate, blue. Onion and nut peels, berry and vegetable juice, tea, coffee are suitable.

How to dye burlap at home:

burlap is not completely dyed;
put water-based emulsion on the brush and apply it with shock movements;
A spray is suitable; it is simply sprayed at a distance of 20-30 cm.

Raincoat fabric is painted with nylon paint at temperatures up to 50 degrees, so as not to damage the structure.

Rubberized fabric is painted in the following way:

combine rubber glue and construction color in half;
apply to the product with a brush;
leave until dry.

Sintepon can be easily painted with auto enamel spray.

If desired, any fabric can be dyed, but it is better to dry clean delicate and synthetic items.

Tricks for high-quality painting of synthetics

In order for the product to look like new after painting, it is necessary to properly prepare the item for the procedure: you will need to prepare acetic acid with a low percentage, water and a coloring agent.

The utensils for the procedure must be durable; professionals recommend using enamel options. You need to add a coloring agent to the water. Experts advise diluting the dye in hot water first; this measure will avoid problems such as the formation of lumps.
If you doubt your own professionalism, then you should not boil water; a comfortable temperature is 45 degrees.
To ensure an even color, the fabric needs to be straightened, this should be done using rubber gloves.
Colorists recommend choosing a paint tone several shades darker than the original color of the product. After the item dries, the color will become lighter.
When rinsing, it is worth pouring a small amount of vinegar into the water to fix the color and make it brighter. It is necessary to rinse in several waters; the rinsing procedure must be carried out until the water remains clear.