A comfortable pair of jeans is certainly a pity to throw away. If you have a pair of faded jeans, one of the best ways to renew them is to change the color. You can turn light or dark jeans black using a grocery store dye and boiling water. If you want to dye your colored jeans black, you'll need to use a decolorizing product first to make sure the black dye is evenly absorbed into the fabric.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Pants
Step 1. Wash your jeans first
To make sure there are no residues or dirt that can interfere with the dyeing process, you need to wash the jeans you want to color first. Put the pants in the washing machine, then wash as usual according to the care instructions.
- You don't need to dry your pants afterwards. The pants will get wet when you bleach or dye them.
- If you have blue or light jeans that don't need to be removed, all you need to do is wash them. You can skip the other steps in this section.
Step 2. Heat the water on the stove
To remove color from colorful jeans, such as red or pink, or to create an even base color for black paint, it's a good idea to remove the color from the jeans first. Fill a large stainless steel saucepan with enough water to cover all of the pants, then heat the water on the stove over medium or medium-high heat. Heat the water until it boils.
- Do not immediately put the pants into the pot while the water is boiling. Set the pants aside for a moment while waiting for the water to boil.
- Make sure there is enough space in the pan for the pants to move freely.
- Avoid using aluminum or non-stick pans. You can replace stainless steel pans with porcelain enamel pans.
Step 3. Dissolve the decolorizing product in water
While you can use a regular bleach product to remove the color from your pants, it's a good idea to use a color remover that's specifically designed for pre-staining to make the concentration gentler on your pants. When the water starts to boil, add the product to the water, according to the directions on the package. Stir the product until it is evenly mixed.
- Make sure you wear rubber gloves when using color-removing products.
- Many clothing dye manufacturers also offer color removal products. You can choose one product from the same manufacturer as the dye product to ensure a match between the two products.
- When using a color-removing product, make sure your kitchen is well ventilated. Open the window and/or turn on the fan.
Step 4. Place the wet jeans in the pan and stir
Once the decolorizing product has dissolved in the water, place the wet jeans in the pan. With the water still boiling, use a spoon or long-handled spatula to stir the pants continuously for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until all of the color has lifted from the fabric.
- Make sure the water doesn't boil. If the water starts to boil, reduce the heat.
- Pants don't have to be white. Pants fabrics can still absorb black dye even if they are ivory or yellowish in color.
Step 5. Remove the water from the pot
When the color has lifted from the fabric of the pants, turn off the heat. Let the water cool for 5 minutes, then pour the water into the drain so that only the pants are in the pan.
Check the label of the decolorizing product you are using to make sure that the water that has been mixed with the product is safe to throw in the sink. You may need to use a different disposal method, depending on the product content
Step 6. Rinse the pants twice and wring them out to remove any remaining moisture
While still wearing the rubber gloves, remove the pants from the pot and rinse them in very warm water in the sink. After that, lower the water temperature so the water feels warm and rinse the pants again. Carefully squeeze the pants over the sink to remove any excess water after you've finished rinsing them.
Do not use cold water or cold water to rinse the pants so that there are no wrinkles or creases in the fabric
Step 7. Wash your pants again
After rinsing them twice, put them in the washing machine. Wash again using detergent as usual to remove any remaining color remover products so that the pants are ready to be dyed.
Again, don't dry your pants after washing them. The pants must be wet before you can proceed to the next step
Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Dye
Step 1. Align your work area
When using a dye product with a dark color such as black, you need to protect the work area from becoming contaminated with the dye product. Use single-use plastic tablecloths to cover the kitchen counter and the floor around the stove in case the dye product spills.
- If you don't have single-use plastic tablecloths, you can use plastic wrap or even a plastic trash bag as a base.
- Make sure you wear rubber gloves when using dye products.
Step 2. Determine the weight of the pants
To find out how much dye you need, you need to know the weight of the pants. Place the pants on a scale to measure their weight, and use the directions on the product packaging to determine how much product to use.
- Most jeans weigh less than 450 grams.
- In general, you will need a bottle of liquid dye and 2 packs of powdered dye to get a dark black color. Read the instructions for use on the product box to determine exactly how much product to use.
- It's a good idea to buy more of the product than is necessary. This way, you have additional product to darken the mixture if needed.
Step 3. Fill a pot with enough water to completely cover the pants and heat it up
To color the pants, you will need a large pot. Add enough water so that the pants are completely submerged when you put them in the pot. Place the pot on the stove and use medium to medium-high heat to bring the water to a boil.
- Generally, you need 11 liters of water for every 450 grams of dyed fabric.
- Make sure there is enough space in the pan for the pants to move freely. Therefore, make sure you use a pot that is large enough.
Step 4. Mix the coloring product
When the water boils, it's time to add the coloring product. Add the product to the water according to the manufacturer's instructions, then stir the product until it is evenly mixed with the water. Let the mixture boil for 5 minutes.
- If you're using a liquid coloring product, you'll usually have to shake the product bottle before adding it to the water.
- If you're using powdered dye, you'll usually need to dissolve it in a cup of hot water before adding it to the pot.
Step 5. Add a little salt to the pan
After mixing the coloring product, you will usually need to add salt to the mixture. Gamar helps the jeans absorb the color and evens out the dyeing process. Check the product's instructions for use to determine the amount of salt needed, and stir all ingredients to mix evenly.
Step 6. Test the dye mixture
To make sure the dye is dark enough to turn the jeans black, find a piece of light colored cloth or paper and dip it in the pan. Remove the cloth or paper from the water and see if you are quite satisfied with the black result shown.
If the dye results indicated by the strips of cloth or paper are not showing the desired black color, add more coloring product to the pan
Part 3 of 3: Coloring Pants
Step 1. Smooth the wrinkles on the pants
After washing, the pants are still wet. Before putting the pants in the pan, squeeze the pants one more time to make sure that no moisture remains. After that, smooth the surface of the pants so that as much as possible there are no creases or wrinkles when you add them to the dye mixture.
Step 2. Put the pants in the pan and stir for a while
Once the surface of the pants is smooth, place the pants into the pot that holds the dye mixture. Use a spoon or long-handled spatula to stir the pants continuously for (at least) 30 minutes or until the pants are the color you want.
- As you knead your pants, make sure you turn them from front to back and turn them over. The dye should be absorbed evenly throughout the trouser fabric.
- Don't get your pants tied or wrinkled when you knead them to keep the coloring even.
Step 3. Remove the pants from the bath and rinse until the rinse water is clear
Once you're happy with the staining, remove the pan from the stove and transfer the pants to the sink. Rinse the pants using warm water. After that, gradually rinse the pants with cooler water until all the dye residue is removed and the rinse water is clear.
Some product brands also sell color retaining products for cotton fabrics so that the color of the fabric does not fade quickly. You can use the product on the pants after the coloring is complete, according to the instructions for use listed on the packaging
Step 4. Wash the pants manually (by hand)
Wash the dyed pants by hand in the sink. Use warm water and a mild detergent, then rinse the pants in cold water.
If you want, you can wash your pants in the washing machine with an unused towel. The towel serves to absorb the remaining dye that is lifted from the pants
Step 5. Hang the pants to dry
After washing, attach the pants to the hanger to dry them. Make sure the pants are completely dry before wearing them.
You can also dry your pants in the dryer with an unused towel to absorb any remaining dye
Tips
- In the first few washings and drying of the pants in the washing machine and dryer, you will need to put in unused towels and other dark colored clothes in case the black dye comes off the jeans at any time. You should also use cold or warm water and a mild detergent product to prevent the color from fading.
- Dye products can stain or stain the fabric. Therefore, wear an old t-shirt that doesn't matter if it gets stained when you dye your jeans. Also, protect your hands by wearing rubber gloves. Keep cloth items such as towels, bath mats, and curtains away from the work area.
Warning
- Be careful when wearing freshly colored jeans. When rubbed with light furniture upholstery, the color may fade and stick to the upholstery, even after the dye has absorbed into the jeans. Therefore, make sure you rinse the pants thoroughly.
- Despite repeated coloring, your jeans may not be as dark as black as a store-bought black pair of jeans. Therefore, make sure your expectations remain realistic.
