FAQs in Dyeing Specifics — Rit Dye (2024)

FAQs

What is the water to dye ratio for Rit dye? ›

Wearing rubber gloves, mix 2 tablespoons / 30 mL of well-shaken liquid dye or 1/2 teaspoon/2.5mL of powdered dye with 2 cups / 470 mL of hot tap water. Scale back the concentration to 1 tablespoon / 15mL if using Rose Quartz or Tan. Add 1 tablespoon / 15mL of salt. Pour into a squirt bottle.

To determine how much dye is needed, weigh the item to be dyed on a food scale or estimate the weight. As a general guideline, one liquid bottle / two powder packages dyes 2 pounds 1 kilogram of dry fabric. If you are trying to achieve a very bold color, then double the dye quantity.

For 100% polyester and polyester blends, at least 30 minutes is needed for the dye to be absorbed into the fabric, even if fabric appears to have reached the desired shade in less time.

To enhance the color: (1) add 1 cup of salt when dyeing fabrics containing cotton, rayon, ramie or linen; (2) add 1 cup of vinegar when dyeing fabrics containing nylon, silk or wool. Double Time in Dyebath. Allow item to remain in the dyebath for 30 to 60 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing. As a general guideline, one liquid bottle or two powder packages dyes up to two pounds of dry fabric.

If you are dyeing cotton, linen, silk, wool, ramie or rayon, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing, but before rinsing and laundering. For all other fibers, rinse the fabric in warm water to gradually cooler water until the water runs clear.

Can I soak the fabric in the dye bath overnight? The answer is yes. If you're looking for a deeper, more intense color, leave the fabric in the dye bath for a longer period of time. This allows the fibers to absorb more of the dye resulting in a more intense and longer-lasting color.

I've only used Rit Dye to dye fabric. After the dye process, the directions say to rinse the fabric until the water runs clear, then wash the items as you normally would and then dry the items as you normally would.

Use Hot Water. Rit dye really needs hot water to create deep, saturated colors. The hotter the better. Fretty and Giancola often boil water and then pour that directly into the dye bath.

What does Rit dye not work on? ›

Washable Fabrics Containing Synthetic Fibers: Such as polyester, acetate and acrylic. Washable Fabrics Containing Synthetic Blends: Such as polyester cotton blends that contain more than 35% polyester. Nylon-Based Plastics: Such as buttons, fasteners, golf balls, lacrosse sticks and 3D printing items.

We recommend using the hottest water safe for your fabric. However, if you want specific temperatures, here they are! If dyeing natural fabrics (such as cotton, linen, silk or wool), use Rit All-Purpose Dye at 140° to 160°F (60 to 71° C).

If more dye is needed, add dye in increments of 1/4 – 1 teaspoon , depending upon the recipe or amount of fabric being dyed. If the color is too dark, add hot water in 1-2 cup / 200-400 mL increments, depending upon the size of the dyebath and the amount of fabric being dyed.

If you are using your own squeeze bottle, mix 2 cups of water with 2 tablespoons of dye and pour into your squeeze bottle.

Rit loves hot water because it loosens the fibers in the fabric to accept the dye. We recommend using the hottest water safe for your fabric.