I don't know about the quality of other dyes, but I was not impressed with RIT. The colour on the box isn't even remotely what you will get. Their "Dark Green" is some wacky bluish greyish green, and this was after using two packs, salt and boiling water and soaking/stirring for two hours (the fabric was under 3 meters and an average weight cotton blend). Even their kelly green lacks intensity. I guess this is why RIT doesn't provide fabric swatches to craft stores - you would then know how crappy it would turn out and not buy it. I think the only thing this dye is good for is renewing the intensity of faded black clothing. That I've done and been happy with the results.
The thing I want to dye can't be soaked in hot water because I don't want it to shrink. So, will RIT work in cold water?
The best way to dye clothes the colour you want is to find a big pot, fill it with water and boil the dye and clothes together on the stove until the desired colour is reached.
I think using two packages of the dye is a good idea. When I dye clothes in the washer, I make sure I follow all of the instructions on the box. I also mix the dye in a disposable cup with some water before I put it into the washer. Then after it is all done, I leave the items in the washer and wash them as I would normally do (except without soap), using cold water and on a regular cycle. I think this helps to set the color, and it also helps get rid of any dye that may be left in the washer. Good luck!
I agree that there are probably 2 things wrong.
1. You need more dye in the washer because there is probably more water there - even on the lowest setting than 1 box or bottle of dye requires.
2. The dye doesn't stay in the washer long enough.
To correct this, set a timer for slightly less time than the longest wash cycle. For example, if your longest cycle is 15 minutes, set the timer for 12 minutes.
Then the timer goes off, turn the washer off and reset it back to 15 minutes. You might have to do this 3 or 4 times.
Just be sure to reset it each time before the washer starts to drain.
I've tried this and found the water in the washer didn't get hot enough and didn't stay in the machine long enough (rinse cycle kicks in after 10 or 15 minutes) for dark results. You also need several packages when using the washer.
I got way better results by using a bucket with very hot water and hand stirring and leaving the cloth in for a longer time, until I was satisfied with the result (Or you shut the machine off before it goes into the rinsing cycle, until the dye is dark enough ). Hope this helps.
I agree with more dye. The mistake I made one time was not adding the salt to aid in the dye working especially with cottons.
Sometimes you need to use more than one box, also the water to dye ratio might be off from what is suggested on the box of RIT when done in the washing machine. Dying in you washing machine can dye your washing machine, I would suggest using a rubbermaid tub instead.
| I always turn all my jeans and pants inside out before putting in my washing machine. My question is: How safe is it to use RIT dyes in your washing machine? I've never done this. I would like to restore the color to some of my navy blue pants as they are still too good to wear but the color has faded somewhat.
Las Vegas Angel | |
| Answers: | |
| RE: Using RIT Dye In A Washing Machine | |
| Post by hugmehugs | |
| Angel, I have used Rit dye in my washer many times; it's the easiest way to dye in my opinion. Just run your machine through a full cycle, with detergent and bleach, after you are done dying. I have never had any problems with the dye getting on my other clothes. | |
| RE: Using RIT Dye In A Washing Machine | |
| thriftyone (Guest Post) | |
| I agree. Also, if you are using a dark color, I double the amount and use HOT water, letting it swish around in the washer longer than a normal cycle. I "restart" the cycle every 10 minutes or so (before it drains and rinses) and then finally double rinse.
Make sure your pants are thoroughly WET before you put them in so the color is absorbed evenly. Good luck! I use it all the time. | |
| RE: Using RIT Dye In A Washing Machine | |
| debbie (Guest Post) | |
| I use rit dye all the time, especially to re-darken a perfect pair of black cotton pants. I have even used it to repair or re-color a cotton sweater that I accidentally got bleach on the first time I washed it. I just over-dyed it one shade darker. I agree with the comments on using two packages for dark colors, using hot water and pre-wetting. I would add that to dye safely you must also follow the directions exactly, and wear old clothes while dying because the powder gets everywhere. I have a special measuring cup and spoon I use just for mixing the dye. Another thing is to keep a small damp rag and diluted bleach ready before hand in case you do drip dye or powder on the counter or floor. | |
| RE: Using RIT Dye In A Washing Machine | |
| Post by MrsMoted2 | |
| I always dye things in my washer, just run it afterwards, empty of course, with two cups of bleach. Comes out nice and clean. | |
| RE: Using RIT Dye In A Washing Machine | |
| Claudia (Guest Post) | |
| I dyed a tablecloth recently. Just be sure to run an empty cycle before doing a load after you dye. I didn't even add detergent... just the full-cycle rinse did the trick. | |
| RE: Using RIT Dye In A Washing Machine | |
| Angela (Guest Post) | |
| Don't use Rit dye. It's no good. It won't hurt your machine, but it will fade out of your clothes and run onto other clothes in the laundry. Use some decent fiber reactive dye, instead. Do a web search for "Procion MX dye" and buy it by mail. Jacquard is a good brand.
It doesn't matter what kind of dye you use if you have polyester, though. You can't dye polyester with Rit or with better dye. | |
| RE: Using RIT Dye In A Washing Machine | |
| Christa (Guest Post) | |
| I used it in my washer once. The package says to do a load with out any laundry with hot water and bleach to clean the dye... it didn't work so well for me. (b)But the RIT itself works great!(/b) |
By ThriftyFun
I'm using RIT dye for the first time. Is it completely washing machine safe? I want to use my mother's machine and she is understandably nervous about damage or staining. I don't want to stain her bathtub either. Are there any other methods for RIT dying a lot of linen/cotton fabric (I'm going for a dark brown)? Moondog from Tusla, OK
By gcmom7
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By Cheryl
How do you use Rit dye in a front loader washer?
Tudi from Lilliwaup
By Cyinda
By judy
How do I dye 20 white kids t-shirts with orange RIT dye in my washing machine?
dk
By Randa
By lucine
Can I dye a sweatshirt with RIT dye in a front loading washing machine?
By Glen1Co from Lafayette, IN
By Beau D
If you have a large aluminum (or other large non-porous kitchen) sink, just dye the article in the sink (or a non-porous bathtub). You can use a large spoon to keep stirring the water and fabric for even dyeing, or wear rubber or plastic gloves. Then rinse well, soak in vinegar and water (to set the color), rinse again, soak in dish soap, rinse again, and then put the article in your washing machine. If you don't have a non-porous sink or bathtub, then use a large bucket or large plastic tub and use the same recipe. (09/24/2009)
By Deeli
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