Has anybody dyed their clothes before?

Greenlizard0

Greenlizard0

Greenlizard0

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I'm contemplating this for a pair trousers. I've neither done this before nor do I know anybody who has.

Is it best to do it in the washing machine or by hand?
If I use the machine, will I have to put a cycle on with an empty load (don't wanna turn an entire load that colour).
Do they bleed easily e.g. like some new jeans (again don't wanna turn the next load a colour).
Any recommendations on a particular company? Or will any do? Edit, it appears Dylon are they way forward.
 
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I redyed a pair of my fav. trousers a while ago. Got the stuff you chuck in the washing machine - works a treat. Colours haven't faded or run at all. It's also very consistent throughout.
 
In order, then:

Washing machine.
No empty cycles required; just the usual [half or economy] wash for your trousers.
No, unless your next wash is going to be whites; modern machines rinse quite thoroughly. Colour will fade slowly with time.
Dylon Dylon Dylon.

A few more issues you may not be aware of:

Buy salt. Each dyeing session requires 500g of the stuff.

Final colour = original fabric colour + dye colour.

If your trousers have synthetic stitching - which they almost certainly will - then that stitching won't dye.
 
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Also remember when you have dyed them in the washing machine do anthor wash but with nothing in the maching making sure all the dye has gone.
 
dan7777 said:
Also remember when you have dyed them in the washing machine do anthor wash but with nothing in the maching making sure all the dye has gone.
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Never had to do this, as I recall... but then again, nearly all my clothes are dark so it wouldn't have mattered :D

If in doubt, refer to the dye instructions - they're backed by legal worries ;)
 
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simisker said:
Never had this problem, but then again, nearly all my clothes are black so it wouldn't have mattered.

If in doubt, refer to the instructions - they're backed by legal worries ;)
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i used the washing machine to dye a jumper then my girlfriend used it to wash her things only to find some of her things had marks on from the dye-water that was left in the machine
 
I have always just done it in the sink or a bowl.

Dont have to worry about all the clothes afterwards then and I guess you dont have to run two loads with basically nothing in it :)
 
http://www.dylon.com.au/cc-new-machine-dyes.htm

Well, there you go, straight from the clotheshorse's mouth - they err on the side of caution and recommend an empty cycle. Probably worth the extra electricity/detergent for peace of mind.

Never had an issue with this, though, unless all my clothes are now red-black or purple-black and I haven't noticed :D
 
Yeah, though a bag of cooking salt might work out cheaper than Saxa [I'm assuming there's absolutely no difference apart from table-friendly dispenser packaging].

Easier to obtain 500g from, too, if you don't have kitchen scales.

Always worked for me :)
 
My Mrs dyes stuff in our washing machine fairly regular. Mostly she dyes black clothing black again as biological soap powder fades garments.
But, don't expect great results when trying to dye a dark colour light.
 
eddie_slovik said:
Mostly she dyes black clothing black again as biological soap powder fades garments.
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I've wondered about this as a lot of my clothes don't keep their 'new' look for very long and start to become 'warn' quite quickly. I usually blame my mum and some shady money saving washing up tactics she may be using, but I didn't know that the actual washing up powder used can cause it.

I'll have a gander and see if she has biological, and get her to change to non-bio to see if it changes.

Or could that be something completely unrelated? Everything seems to be getting washed at 40c.
 
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CDj-Rossi said:
I've wondered about this as a lot of my clothes don't keep their 'new' look for very long and start to become 'warn' quite quickly. I usually blame my mum and some shady money saving washing up tactics she may be using, but I didn't know that the actual washing up powder used can cause it.

I'll have a gander and see if she has biological, and get her to change to non-bio to see if it changes.

Or could that be something completely unrelated? Everything seems to be getting washed at 40c.
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I used to work for Hoover and we had numerous lectures from Proctor and Gamble reps. Learned quite a bit about soap powder and its effects. Won't get boring on the topic but the combination of biological soap powder/liquid/gel and cheap fabric is not good.
 
I used to work for Hoover/Candy too lol, I never had such talks though. Good to know though Eddie, thanks. I'll have a look at what powder my mum is using!
 
I've used Dylon dye in a bucket and it came out quite patchy, so I'd probably recommend doing it in the washing machine. Stops you getting coloured hands as well. I'm l33t.
 
Going through some of the colours now. Anybody use Dylon dyes? Are there any shades that are known not to come out well?

Jonny69 said:
I've used Dylon dye in a bucket and it came out quite patchy, so I'd probably recommend doing it in the washing machine. Stops you getting coloured hands as well. I'm l33t.
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Oops. Hope it wasn't black dye otherwise people think you'd be climbing over walls! :p
 
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