Are modern fabric dyes any good? IKEA Ektorp sofa...

[vom]

Every now and then, I have the impulse to dye something - currently, it's our light grey IKEA Ektorp sofa covers as I am just finding them a bit grubby and depressing after a few years of use.

My own DM and MIL always warn me off it, both of them seem to have horror stories about trying to dye things - either the dye not catching on properly, being uneven, rubbing off on clothes, or all of the above.

However, someone told me that dyes have come a long way and that modern dylon, rit, etc. ones are a huge improvement on those that DM/MIL will have used when we were growing up.

I'm aware that different dyes/methods are needed depending on material etc. - what's the MN wisdom on this, and any particular brands you'd recommend for sofa slipcovers?

I"very been dyeing things with Dylon happily for over 20 years.

100% cotton is better than poly cotton. If it's a mix there's more of a risk that some bits have more polyester, others more cotton, and it looks patchy.

You have to follow all the guidelines. Weigh your fabric, don't guess, and buy the correct amount of dye. Use enough salt of you need to add it separately. Start with clean fabric - usually this means wash it first and start with it damp from that but do check instructions. Give it an extra wash or two at the end to remove all the excess dye. Use extra rinses, prewash function, extra water setting etc to maximise the rinsing. Use a box or boxes of machine dye, not the little discs.

I've dyed Ektorp sofa covers in my washing machine with Dylon. None of the issues that your DM and MIL are talking about, but do be warned that the cover has visible threads and the dye doesn't work on those!

Thanks very much @Gleeanda and @LittleRedY0shi i appreciate it! Dylon it is!