has anyone dyed loose covers in a washing machine?

[Lucydogz]

We've have an IKEA chaise longue. It's white and I want to dye it in the front-loading washing machine. Has anyone tried doing this, and does it work? I worry about later washes coming out a funny colour, or the covers coming out patchy. part of me thinks it would be more sensible to pay someone else to do it.

[BooToYouToo]

Not done it but I know when I even wash my loose covers they come out patchy due to the stain repellent. Are your covers treated?

I have successfully dyed cushion covers in the machine without any problems for later washes.

[LugsTheDog]

I haven't done it either but I've dyed duvet covers and towels with great results and I'm planning to do my ikea white chair covers next. It's important to have them really clean to start with and make sure you understand what impact the fabric mix plays. Generally cotton will take the dye but many artificial fibres won't, so eg polycotton will absorb only 50% as much colour as 100% cotton, so the colour will be much lighter than the packet.

It's crucial to use the right number of packs for the weight of fabric - don't scrimp on dye. Ultimately though, I think there's always a risk it'll come out a bit blotchy, so I wouldn't dye anything irreplaceable. I'll take the risk with our ikea covers, and if it goes pearshaped I'll get a new chair. I think getting them dyed professionally would cost almost as much as my ikea chair, but I haven't had quotes.

[HexBramble]

I've done it. Agree with PP - Make Sure you follow the instructions to the last letter with regards to weighing, salting etc.

I dyed mine a deep red from a rust terracotta colour and it worked a treat. Took ages because the sofa was huge but I'm glad I did it. Drying it was a bit awkward - I think I draped it over chairs in front of the radiator but hopefully there'll be some warm days before Autumn lands.

[GinAndOnIt]

Yes I've done it, went from light grey to navy blue, and really impressed. Just remember the stitching probably won't dye.

I used Dylon and had no trouble with residual dye in future washes.

[southwest1]

I did my IKEA chair cover, it was cream and I dyed it red. I think I used two packets of dylon machine dye to make sure it was even. As mentioned above the stitching didn't dye so that's still white, but it doesn't look odd.

[hollyisalovelyname]

I did.
I used Dylon.
It wasn't an Ikea cover.
The dye ruined several washes on me, even months later.
Dylon compensated me.
I wouldn't do it again personally.

[HereIAm20]

I used the Dylon all in one (so you didn't have to faff around with salt etc) to die a futon cover from mid blue to black. It was to go in a grey room so if it had come out charcoal rather than black I wouldn't have minded but it came out a very even jet black all over. I never had any issues after just followed instructions on the pack.