spiralactivator
Well-known member
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- Sep 7, 2004
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Has anyone here ever dyed fabric in the washing machine? A lost art definitely worthy of rediscovery. Thanks to Rit and Whirlpool, I have a lovely set of orange sheets!
Dyeing to know
- Thread starter spiralactivator
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Yes, but was many years ago.
Dying fabric in an automatic washer is best done in either a top loader or twin tub, best with a SS or porcelian tub as plastic may discolour.
Basically fills the machine with the desired amount of water, adds the packet of dye, allows machine to agitage for awhile to completly mix the dye with water, then add laundry and proceed with the cycle. One needs to stop the machine now and then to see if item(s) have taken the correct shade of color. Once this is done the machine can go on to spinning and rinsing.
If one does not have a top loader, you can dye items in any large basin or even bath tub. Wring out when the desired shade is reached, put in washer and set for "rinse and spin". Probably would be a good idea to let the washer to run empty on another rinse and spin cycle to make sure no traces of dye are still in the machine to foul any future wash loads.
Launderess
Basically fills the machine with the desired amount of water, adds the packet of dye, allows machine to agitage for awhile to completly mix the dye with water, then add laundry and proceed with the cycle. One needs to stop the machine now and then to see if item(s) have taken the correct shade of color. Once this is done the machine can go on to spinning and rinsing.
If one does not have a top loader, you can dye items in any large basin or even bath tub. Wring out when the desired shade is reached, put in washer and set for "rinse and spin". Probably would be a good idea to let the washer to run empty on another rinse and spin cycle to make sure no traces of dye are still in the machine to foul any future wash loads.
Launderess
Tie Dye memories huh
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
Did two slipcovers in my Frigidaire FL. The process was a little awkward, but it worked fine.
veg
veg
I used to do this all the time.
Laundress, as usual, has the technique correct.
Dyeing in the washer is fine, if just doing a solid color. Tie dye and batik are better done in large tubs outside of the washer. I took some studio art in high school, and fiber was one of the classes.
Ma was very glad when that term was over. I stripped (with Color Remover) some of the bath towels, re-dyed them Electrical Banana without her knowledge. I was in disgrace until I dyed them back to Shell Pink.
I like to run a full cycle with nothing but a full tub of water and 2 cups of liquid chlorine bleach after dyeing. I've never had leftover dye in subsequent loads.
Fascinating how times change....the book for the '64 Whirlpool Imperial had dye instructions. My '97 Maytag's book doesn't.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
Laundress, as usual, has the technique correct.
Dyeing in the washer is fine, if just doing a solid color. Tie dye and batik are better done in large tubs outside of the washer. I took some studio art in high school, and fiber was one of the classes.
Ma was very glad when that term was over. I stripped (with Color Remover) some of the bath towels, re-dyed them Electrical Banana without her knowledge. I was in disgrace until I dyed them back to Shell Pink.
I like to run a full cycle with nothing but a full tub of water and 2 cups of liquid chlorine bleach after dyeing. I've never had leftover dye in subsequent loads.
Fascinating how times change....the book for the '64 Whirlpool Imperial had dye instructions. My '97 Maytag's book doesn't.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
On the label of some "rit" packages I have-they warn NOT to dye items in a bathtub-guess it could stain the tub!They suggest dying in a TL washer or a pan on a stove.
The only jeans I wear are black, so I re-dye them black at least once during their lifespan in my FL'er. It works. I can see where it would be easier in a TL'er, though.
You can also do it in a big open pot (I used a large canner) on the range, but dumping/wringing can get messy.
The color 'sets' better using the simmer-on-the-range method, but dumping the dye solution and wringing out the clothes can get messy.
I just crank my water heater up to 170-degrees for a couple of hours, then use the FL washer. Remember to turn the water heater back down!!
You can also do it in a big open pot (I used a large canner) on the range, but dumping/wringing can get messy.
The color 'sets' better using the simmer-on-the-range method, but dumping the dye solution and wringing out the clothes can get messy.
I just crank my water heater up to 170-degrees for a couple of hours, then use the FL washer. Remember to turn the water heater back down!!
I would think you could get great dyeing results in a Euro FL by setting it to a long boil wash.
Come To Think Of It
Use laundry blueing in my FL'er all the time, so guess dying could be done. Just seems easier to control the process in an open tub or top loading washing machine.
L.
Use laundry blueing in my FL'er all the time, so guess dying could be done. Just seems easier to control the process in an open tub or top loading washing machine.
L.
Overhere in Europe we had an era in which dyeing of clothes was very popular. I don't know if there is a difference between the European and American dyes. Overhere it could be done with a 105F warm wash IIRC.
