Amazing RIT Dye Projects!

March 17, 2023

Amazing RIT Dye Projects!

RIT Dye carries a great line of products to Dye whatever you may need to Dye! Here are some flashy projects you may do at home.


Dyed Slippers 

  1. Pre-wash item in warm, soapy water without any fabric softener. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
  2. Wear rubber gloves to protect hands from getting stained and to insulate them when working with hot water.
  3. Fill a plastic container or stainless steel sink with enough water for the slippers to move freely. We recommend using 3 gallons / 11.5 L of water for every pound/0.5 kg of fabric. The water should ideally be 140ºF / 60ºC. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
  4. To enhance the color, add 1 cup / 240 mL of salt when dyeing fabrics containing cotton, rayon, ramie or linen.
  5. Add 1 teaspoon / 5 mL of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
  6. Pour well-shaken liquid dye into dyebath and mix well.
  7. Test color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye. If color is too dark, add more water.
  8. Wet the slippers, squeeze out any excess water and add it to the dyebath.
  9. Stir slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are the most critical. Stirring helps to ensure an even color with no splotches.
  10. When desired color is achieved, remove from dyebath. Slippers will look darker when wet and will dry lighter.
  11. To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing.
  12. Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
  13. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

Dye Grout 

1. Typically, when working with grout, the water to dry grout ratio is 1:1, and it works out to be the same when using dye. For this project we used 1/2 lb of grout and one 8oz. bottle of liquid dye, no additional water needed for mixing the grout.

2. Transfer the dry grout into a mixing bucket. Holding the bucket at a 45 degree angle, carefully stream and mix ¾ of the amount of dye called for into the grout mix. If the mix is too difficult to stir, add a small amount more of the dye, then stir until the grout is just a bit thicker than the consistency of creamy peanut butter and there are no lumps. If the mixture is too watery, add more dry grout and mix well.

3. Allow the grout to rest for 5-10 minutes so the chemicals can bond. Once the grout has rested it might be a bit thicker, because the resting process allows all the powder to soak up the liquids. If you find it’s too thick, add the smallest amount more of dye, and mix well.

4. Load up your float with grout and begin spreading it over the surface of the tile, pushing it into the joints as you work across the surface.

5. Once you’ve grouted the entire area, wait at least 10 minutes before removing the excess grout with a damp sponge. After the grout dries, use a buffing rag or cheesecloth to remove any leftover haze from the tiles.

Colorblock Jeans 

 

  1. Prewash your jeans and leave damp.
  2. Fill plastic container or stainless steel sink with enough hot water (ideally 140F) for your 501s to move freely, roughly three gallons.
  3. To help enhance the color, add one cup of salt.
  4. Add one tsp of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
  5. Wearing rubber gloves, shake Rit bottle really well. Pour half a bottle (1/2 cup) of dye into dyebath and mix well.
  6. Carefully dip one leg into dyebath until you meet the center seam by the zipper. To be extra careful, place the other leg in a plastic bag to keep any dye from getting on the other leg.
  7. Leave the other leg undyed or repeat Step 2-5 to make another dyebath to create a two-tone color block as shown.
  8. For a clean line between colors, use a wide paintbrush with the remaining dyebath to paint along the center seam.

DIY Dyed Lamp shade

  1. Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills. Gather supplies.

  2. Wearing rubber gloves, fill sink or a large container with 3 gallons of very hot water. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath. Pour 1/2 bottle of well-shaken dye into dyebath.

  3. To enhance the color, add one cup of salt. Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.

  4. Stir well.

  5. Test color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye. If color is too dark, add more water.

  6. Dip bottom of shade into dyebath until desired color is achieved.

 

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