The Rit Blog

This how-to video takes you through the steps of dyeing in a “front-loader” washing machine.  There’s no mess and your washing machine does all the work!  The steps are slightly different from dyeing in a “top-loader” so take a look and see how easy it can be.  Machine dyeing is ideal for larger items like bath towels, curtains and sheets. 

Dianne, our Crafts & Education Director, shares easy steps for “Dyeing in the Washing Machine.”  If you have a “top-loader” washing machine, go to this link for “how-to” information.  http://www.ritdye.com/dyeing-techniques/washing-machine

Before Getting Started

• Know your fabrics – Check the fiber content on the label of the item you are planning to dye.  Rit is a user-friendly dye that will color most fabrics (cotton, linen, rayon, silk, wool, nylon and blends of at least 60% cotton), but it will not dye 100% polyester, acrylic, acetate or fabrics with special finishes or a rubber backing. 

• Know how much Rit Dye to use.  As a guideline, we recommend using 1 box of powder or ½ bottle (1/2 cup) of liquid dye when dyeing 16 ounces (one pound) of dry weight fabric.

• Weigh your fabrics.  If possible, use a food scale.  If you don’t have one, then estimate.  1 pound of fabric is about 3 yards of cotton broadcloth, 1 bath towel or 4 medium size ladies’ T-shirts.

Steps for Dyeing in a “Front-Loader” Washing Machine

1.  Pre-wash your fabric.  This will help to remove any finishes that may interfere with the dye process.

2.  Place your wet fabric in the washing machine.

3.  Shake dye bottle.  Pour dye into the soap dispenser followed by 4 cups of hot water.  Note:  If using Rit powder dye, mix dye with 2 cups of hot water before pouring into the soap dispenser. Then follow with 2 cups hot water.

4.  Set your water temperature to the hottest possible setting and a wash cycle of at least 30 minutes or longer.  Rit loves hot water!

5.  Start the wash cycle.  For cotton, rayon or linen: After 10 minutes into the wash cycle, add 1 cup of salt dissolved in 4 cups of hot water.  Pour into soap dispenser.  For nylon, silk or wool:  After 10 minutes into the wash cycle, add 1 cup of white vinegar mixed with 4 cups of hot water. Pour into the soap dispenser.

6.  After the machine cycle ends, rewash fabric in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and dry.

 7.  Clean washing machine immediately after dyeing using the hottest water setting.  Place 3 to 4 old towels in the washer with detergent and 1 – 2 cups chlorine bleach.  Run towels through the wash cycle.  Wipe up spills and clean out the dispenser with a chlorine bleach solution.

Click here for additional information on dyeing in the washing machine.

We’re introducing a new series of how-to videos that will show you fun, easy ways to add more color to your world.  To kick off the series, we’re beginning with the “6 Secrets to Successful Dyeing!”  These secrets will answer some of the most-frequently asked questions about dyeing, such as how much dye to use, when to add salt or vinegar, and more.  

Dianne, our Crafts & Education Director, shares “6 Secrets for Successful Dyeing!”

1.  Know your fabrics – Check the fiber content on the label of the item you are planning to dye.  Rit is a user-friendly dye that will color most fabrics (cotton, linen, rayon, silk, wool, nylon and blends of at least 60% cotton), but it will not dye 100% polyester, acrylic, acetate or fabrics with special finishes or a rubber backing. 

2.  Know how much Rit Dye to use.  As a guideline, we recommend using 1 box of powder or ½ bottle (1/2 cup) of liquid dye when dyeing 16 ounces (one pound) of dry weight fabric.

3.  Weigh your fabrics.  If possible, use a food scale.  If you don’t have one, then estimate.  1 pound of fabric is about 3 yards of cotton broadcloth, 1 bath towel or 4 medium size ladies’ T-shirts.

4.  Rit Dye loves hot water!  Always use hot water when dyeing.  Water temperature should be about 140 F.  If your water is not hot enough, heat some in a cook pot or tea kettle on top of the stove, just to boiling.  Then add that to the hot tap water. 

5.  Know when to add salt or vinegar.  Generally 1 cup of salt is used when dyeing cotton, linen and rayon fabrics to achieve more intense, bright colors.  1 cup of white vinegar is used when dyeing nylon, silk or wool.  

6.  Always pre-wash fabric before dyeing.  This will help to remove any finishes that may interfere with the dye process.  We recommend using a liquid laundry detergent that is high in soda ash, such as Fab.

You can find the secrets for successful dyeing video here.

Here’s a fun last-minute Easter T-shirt you can make as a gift for your favorite little girl or your little girl’s teddy bear!  Barb Warholic created this design and transferred it using Elmer’s School Gel (the blue one) as a resist.  Then the shirt was dyed in a mix of Lemon Yellow and Aquamarine to create an Easter green!  The lettering and design remained white.

To make the pattern, Barb printed a “Some Bunny Loves Me” design on the paper side of freezer paper.  Be sure to reverse your image so when the freezer paper is turned over, the image will read correctly.  Then insert the freezer paper, waxed side up, inside the T-shirt and hold it in place with clamps.  Using the Elmer’s School Glue Gel and starting at the top of the shirt, trace the first two words.  Then trace and fill in the bunny, except for the inner ears and heart.  Just trace around these shapes. They will be filled in later. Then trace the last two words. The freezer paper not only gives you the pattern, but it keeps the glue from soaking through the T-shirt.  Let the glue dry overnight. 

To make the pink inner ears and heart, Barb mixed a drop of Fuchsia dye with the Elmer’s School Glue Gel and painted in those areas.  The Fuchsia dye will color the fabric and remain there.  Let it dry completely.  Then she dyed the white shirt in a mixture of Lemon Yellow and Aquamarine.  The glue acts as resist and creates a batik-like design on the shirt!  Click here for the full tutorial.

Barbara Warholic is a designer and author of Sewing Pottery By Machine, published by Martingale. She loves incorporating Rit dye into her work.  Visit her blog at www.softpottery.blogspot.comand her Dyeing Textiles board on www.pinterest.

Who would guess this adorable Easter Bunny basket was made from dyed clothesline?   Barb Warholic, author of Soft Pottery by Machine, created this basket by coiling and stitching white cotton clothesline into a basket shape.  Then she hand-dyed it using Rit Petal Pink.  What a colorful idea for your Easter table!  

Barb’s secret to stitching clothesline is to set your sewing machine to the widest zigzag setting and a 1.75 (or slightly less) stitch length.  This is important!  If you use a longer stitch length, your basket will be floppy and have no stability.  After the clothesline is stitched into a basket shape, she soaks it warm water. It needs to be totally saturated with water before dyeing. The water helps the dye to penetrate the fibers for a uniform color.  Then Barb prepared a dye bath of Petal Pink and let the basket set in the dye for 8 to 10 minutes.  Tip:  If your dye container isn’t deep enough to totally submerge the basket, roll the basket around in the dye until you have an even color. Or spoon dye over basket.  Then rinse and dry upside down on paper towels. The eggs surrounding the bunny are made from hand-dyed cotton batting.  This Bunny Basket is sure to bring smiles and cheer to your Easter table.  Click here for the full tutorial. 

Barbara Warholic is a designer and author of Sewing Pottery By Machine, published by Martingale. She loves incorporating Rit dye into her work.  Visit her blog at www.softpottery.blogspot.comand her Dyeing Textiles board on www.pinterest.