Dying clothes

[Cel982]

Does anyone do this any more? I have memories of my Mum dying things in the washing machine with those little blocks (Dylon??).

Anyway, have recently had a revelation about which colours actually suit me, and that the many very chic and tasteful beige/camel tops I own just do nothing for someone of my colouring. Can't afford to replace everything with nice bright jewel tones at the moment, unfortunately - but could I dye some of them? Anyone have any tips or recommend methods/products? Or am I living in the wrong century?

[AnthonyPandy]

I dye things quite a lot. Dylon machine wash is what you need, www.wilko.com/haberdashery/fabric-dyes+clothes-dyes/icat/fabricdyes Wilko sell it , as do plenty of other places. Here is the full range of colours www.dylon.co.uk/products/dyes/fabric-dye-for-machine-use/ and here www.dylon.co.uk/colours/.

Follow the instructions, colours on top of beige will not be the same as on top of white but I would do it anyway. Cotton will take dye the best but polyester thread will not take the dye. Use a sharpie for the thread.

[AnthonyPandy]

And be careful with the red. It is not a proper pillar box red and is disappointing.

[PerspicaciaTick]

I dyed some bath mats recently using Dylon washing machine dye and have been very impressed. They held their colour brilliantly when I accidently washed them with a white T-shirt.
Just bear in mind that the thread may dye a different colour to the fabric (e.g. cotton fabric will take the dye well, but polyester thread won't). It isn't a problem but you may end up with contrast stitching.

[ASAS]

We use Dylon often. I noticed it stains our washing machine seal so always put a tea towel on a cycle afterwards to catch any residue.

[amarmai]

also can stove top dye if it's smaller items.

[Cel982]

Thanks all, great advice there! Am going to take the plunge

[Cel982]

UPDATE: Why didn't I do this years ago?!! Dyed three beige-y tops with Dylon Tulip Red and they all came out beautifully - they'd been destined for the charity shop before that.
Then got very brave and hand-dyed a Tesco cashmere jumper which was a lime green - put a blue dye over it and it's now a much more wearable mossy green. Delighted!!

[PerspicaciaTick]

Brilliant!

Did I mention it gets addictive?

[iwannadancewithsomebody]

I regularly do this. And don't forget jeans!

I did have one mishap though. Dyed some orange jeans black but the seams stayed orange, still looked good!

[Cel982]

Oh, I can see myself getting totally hooked, Tick!

[Footle]

I do this a lot. Haven't had any problem with staining as long as I do an empty wash (express ) after dyeing. There are two reds, Tulip and Redwood.

[amarmai]

Welcome to the dyeing club ,op. Now you can buy as much white as you want 1

[Branleuse]

If I have clothes that I never wear, but fit, then quite a few times ive dyed them black and then I wear them loads

Also towels that get a bit stained, get dyed dark colours.

[HixieRice]

I've thought about dyeing towels before, but wasn't sure if they'd lose some absorbency? (In particular, a microfibre hair towel) What's your experience Bran?

[Footle]

I wouldn't bother trying to dye microfibre because it's all synthetic and I'd expect it to take up very little colour.

[DelphiniumBlue]

Just dyed beige sofa covers and cushions Tulip Red, looks lovely!

[SeaRabbit]

Does it work to try to dye black clothes, that have faded, blacker?

[CMOTDibbler]

Yes, and it works great for that. I do a load of 'back to black' stuff every few months inc leggings, jeans, cotton shirts and t shirts

[PestilentialCat]

I dye an old black denim skirt when it fades to grey

[BikeRunSki]

I am waiting for some dye to arrive in post for my annual "back to navy" session.

Bright colours good on pale jeans that have faded.

[Footle]

You get some nice effects on patterned fabrics or those made with mixed fibres. One thing M&S does well is tops for really hot weather, made of cotton and silk. Unfortunately the colours and patterns are often vile, but they dye beautifully, with bits of pattern showing through.