Aarrgghh ruined sofa with Dylon dye!

[ItsWarmerInTheSouth]

We have owned a 4 seater habitat sofa for 10 years. Super comfy but beige and now 2 DCs and a cat later, it's super stained. DH put the covers in the washing machine earlier with two packs of antique grey Dylon dye. But instead of dyeing, it's gone all blotchy! Why? Could there be something on the material stopping the dye taking? We've had the covers dry cleaned before and I've washed them on the delicate cycle of the washing machine before... Is it ruined? Help!

probably because it's made of polyester or a mix. dyes take best on cotton/natural fibres.

plus, as you say, it may well have fire retardant coating that could have stopped the dye taking.

Thanks... Reckon there's any hope? Anything that'll take the dyed blotchy bits out? Or another dye which will finish the job??

To my cost I have discovered that dying stuff does not cover stains. The stained parts 'take' the colour differently. What you need to do is first remove all colour (Dylon have a product, no idea if any good) and then dye it.

I don't know whether it's salvageable, but it doesn't sund like it can get much worse...

I'd start by giving it a bloody good wash with old fashioned laundry soap flakes. As hot as the fabric allows. Maybe rinse and repeat. Hopefully this should clear s much as possible of any stain repellent coatings. Then choose the most appropriate dye for the fibre you're dealing with. If it's mainly polyester, get a dye formulated for polyester (www.thedyeshop.co.uk/acatalog/Polyester_Dyes.html). Bear in mind that the best dye for the job is not necessarily the one available in your local shops, and it may not be as convenient to use. WEIGH THE FABRIC! It might not be the only problem, but a couple of packets of dylon doesn't sound like all that much for a four-seater sofa, and that could cause blotchiness in itself.