Not only does dyeing your clothing help restore color, it can also strengthen the fabric and remove lint. We show you how to do it, as well as some tips.
A garment can have a second chance, especially if it belongs to the list of favorites. Dyeing clothes at home is a good option to recover and bring back to life those pieces that you thought you could not use again.
In the same way, dyeing clothes could have some specific benefits, since in addition to saving clothes and recovering color, it removes lint and strengthens the fabric. Do you need to do it? The first thing you should know is that, although it is simple, you need to be careful.
How to dye clothes at home?
It all depends on whether you use a natural dye or a factory dye. The latter have a slightly easier method than the former, however, keep in mind that natural colorants are ecological, since they are made with vegetables.
Natural dyes are good on fabrics like linen, silk, cotton, or wool, but they usually don’t work well on rayon, lycra, and synthetic fibers. In fact, the dyes that you find on the market are not as effective for these, although it is true that you get a better result.
If you are wondering how to dye your clothes at home with a natural dye, follow these steps:
1.Place a small tablespoon of salt for each liter of water in a saucepan, add the food coloring and bring to a boil.
2.When it breaks the boil, lower the flame and, when the water has the color you want, lower the heat and wait for it to cool.
3.With a strainer strain to remove residue. Bring back to a boil and turn off when it reaches the boiling point.
4.Immerse the garment, wear gloves and move a little and then let it rest for a few minutes in the water with the dye.
5.Squeeze and put to dry.
The garment may fade when you wash it, so it is recommended that you rinse the clothing alone. If you buy a dye in the market, these usually have instructions for use.
You can choose a color that you like and combine clothes that previously did not have the same shades.
Tips for dyeing clothes at home
To dye clothes you must take into account some issues. These tips will be very useful to you.
1. Prepare your workplace
Before starting to dye your clothes, you should have some utensils ready, such as a container to make the mixture, some newspaper, gloves, and a trowel. Make sure the container is large enough so that the garment is completely submerged.
2. Let it soak in longer for a stronger shade
Keep in mind that the longer the garment spends in the water, the more the color accentuates, so all you have to do is that the clothes are submerged in the liquid for about an hour. You could also get a stronger color by adding more food coloring to the mix.
3. Be careful with the type of fabric
Not all fabrics have the same result when dyed. You should consider that cotton, wool, silk or linen shirts are perfect for dyeing, since the final color is homogeneous and with the desired hue, in addition to being less prone to less colorful patches.
However, garments made of synthetic fiber or with the fabric used for bathing suits often have disadvantageous results. For this type of clothing, it is best to take it to a specialist who will do the job.
4. Don’t add the powder directly to the fabric
You may think that adding the powder directly to clothing and then adding water will work the same way. We warn you that you will not have the same result.
In fact, you may be left with uneven colored parts. Therefore, mix and then dip the fabric.
Also remember that after dyeing the first washes should be separate from any other garment, since it is common for them to distil a little ink.
Separate clothes dyed with certain colors from those that are white at the time of washing, to prevent distillate from ruining the garments.
Dyeing clothes at home is giving a second chance
Reliving a garment that has been worn by use and time is not only to use that shirt or pants that you like so much, but also to help the environment. An eco-friendly way to do it is by using natural dyes.
Clothing is easy to dye, however make sure the color is consistent. To do this, use the palette and stir every so often. Also, remember that the food coloring you use can tint the containers and even the palette, so don’t be scared by that.
