Rit Dye is a versatile brand of dye that can be used to dye clothes, paper, wood, rope, and nylon plastic. Rit Dye has a variety of colors and the mixture has also been adjusted so that it is quite easy to apply. Choose the right color, pour enough hot water, then soak the object you want to color for 10-30 minutes. After that, the color of the object will change and will not fade when used.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Mixing Colors
Step 1. Prepare the container
A plastic bucket or pot that can hold 20 liters of water is a good option. You can use Rit Dye with a striking color without having to worry about the room or floor getting dirty. Alternatively, you can also use Rit Dye on a stainless steel sink. The container used must be large enough to accommodate several liters of water and the object to be colored.
Do not use containers made of porcelain or fiberglass as Rit Dye will cause permanent stains
Step 2. Protect the work area
Place a few sheets of newspaper or an old towel under the container. Newspaper and towels will keep the dye from sticking to floors, tables, and other surfaces. By doing this, your work area will remain neat and easy to clean.
Don't forget to wear gloves to protect your skin from stains
Step 3. Fill the container with hot water
To be more effective, use water at a temperature of approximately 60°C (hot enough to get steamy). This heat will soften the fibers of the fabric to be dyed so that the dye can absorb completely.
- For every 500 grams of cloth, use approximately 10 liters of water.
- Alternatively, you can also heat the water using a kettle. Once hot, pour water into the container.
Step 4. Know the amount of Rit Dye needed
For maximum results, use bottle of liquid Rit Dye for every 500 grams of fabric. If using powdered dye, use 1 packet of Rit Dye powder. If you only want to dye one shirt or several underwear, you can use a smaller amount of Rit Dye. If you want to dye a sweater or several pairs of jeans, you may need to use more Rit Dye.
Step 5. Stir in the dye
Liquid dye can be poured directly into the container. If using powdered dye, sprinkle the dye into 250 ml of hot water and stir until dissolved. After that, slowly mix the dye until the color depth is just right. Stir the dye until evenly distributed.
- Shake the dye before pouring it into the container.
- Stir in the dye using a spoon made of stainless steel.
Step 6. Add salt or vinegar
If you want to dye cotton clothes, dissolve 300 grams of salt in 500 ml of hot water and then pour it into the dye. For wool, silk, or nylon, add 250 ml of white vinegar. Stir the dye that has been added with salt or vinegar until evenly distributed.
Some fabrics may resist dyes. Salt or vinegar can help condition the fabric for a more consistent color
Part 2 of 3: Applying Dye
Step 1. Wash the clothes to be dyed first
Wash clothes in hot water and a stain-removing detergent. After that, dry it on medium temperature. Washing clothes first can remove dirt that can interfere with the dyeing process.
Do not apply dye to soiled clothes. Dirt and oil that stick to it will make it difficult for the dye to absorb. In the end, the color of the clothes will be less neat and look stained
Step 2. Do a color test on a tissue or paper towel
Dip a tissue or paper towel in the dye solution and observe the color. If you are satisfied with the results, proceed to the next step. If not satisfied, add more coloring little by little.
Repeat the color test on a clean tissue or paper towel until the color matches
Step 3. Soak the clothes you want to dye into the dye solution
To avoid splashing, gently dip the garment into the dye solution. The entire garment should always be submerged under the surface of the dye solution during this process.
Clothes should be stretched out as much as possible while soaking. Clothes that are folded and wrinkled will make it difficult for the dye to absorb evenly
Step 4. Stir the clothes being soaked for 10-30 minutes
Stir the clothes constantly so that each part is exposed to the dye solution. The longer the clothes are left to soak, the more striking the color will be. If you want the color to be less intense, stop after 10 minutes. If you want to drastically change the color of your clothes, let them soak for 30 minutes.
- You can use tongs to make the mixing process easier. However, don't hold the garment in the same spot for too long to allow the dye to absorb completely.
- Remember, the color of the clothes will look darker when they are still wet.
Step 5. Remove the clothes from the dye
When you're happy with the color, pinch one side of the garment with tongs and then remove it from the container. Let the dye water drip from the clothes into the container. After that, squeeze the clothes by hand before moving them to another place.
To prevent the dye from dripping onto the floor or furniture, color the clothes near the wash and rinse areas
Part 3 of 3: Washing and Drying Clothes
Step 1. Immediately rinse the newly dyed garment
Rinse the clothes using warm running water to remove any traces of dye. Gradually reduce the temperature of the water used to cool the clothes. Continue to rinse the clothes in cold water until they are clean.
Using warm and then cold water can keep the color of the clothes after the dye has been rinsed off
Step 2. Wash the clothes in the washing machine
Wash clothes that have been dyed in a low temperature and mild detergent. Also add used towels to absorb any remaining clothes dye. For the first wash, separate clothes of different colors so they don't mix or fade.
- Some fabrics may fade slightly after several washes.
- Use detergents and softeners that can protect the color of the clothes so they don't change color.
Step 3. Dry the clothes before wearing
The heat from the clothes dryer will lock in the new color of the clothes. Like when washing clothes, also put used towels into the clothes dryer so that it can absorb the faded dye. After washing and drying for the first time, you can wash your clothes normally.
After drying, the clothes can be worn
Step 4. Wash and dry delicate clothes by hand
Clean soft fabrics such as wool, silk, and lace with warm water. Mix in a small amount of detergent to clean the cloth. Gently squeeze the clothes, then hang them separately to dry on their own.
- Hand-washed clothes will dry after approximately 24 hours.
- Place a bucket or towel under clothes that are drying to prevent them from dripping onto the floor.
Tips
- A soft, brightly colored fabric is a good option because the results will be maximum.
- Don't forget to clean the containers used to dye clothes and other utensils when you're done. Use bleach to remove stubborn dye residue.
- Wash clothes that have been dyed together with other colored clothes.
- Mix dyes to create new colors and combinations. Experiment!
Warning
- As much as possible avoid spilling the dye. If the dye sticks to and stains certain objects, it will be difficult to remove it.
- Read the composition of the dye on the packaging carefully. This is done just in case you are allergic to Rit Dye content.
- Dyeing clothes of different colors can be tricky because it's hard to know how each color will react.
