What Fabrics Can I Dye?

 

 

Before even buying your dye, check the label on your clothing. With items made of natural materials, you have an excellent chance of dying it successfully in your machine. With things made of synthetic fibres, only some will take colour evenly. Most synthetic fabrics can' be dyed at home, but you can sometimes colour synthetic and natural mixes by machine.

 

Natural Fabrics which generally take colour well include:

 

  • Cotton
  • Denim
  • Canvas
  • Linen
  • Viscose
  • Flax
  • Ramie
  • Jute

 

 

 

Dye fabrics like silks, wool, mohair and cashmere by hand.

 

The range of items you can dye is enormous – from old shirts and jeans to canvas shoes to linen homeware. It's only your imagination that's going to hold you back. 

 

 

Synthetic & Fabric Mixes that you can dye in your machine include:

 

  • Polyester/cotton
  • Polyester/viscose
  • Silk/linen

 

 

This collection of fabrics covers many articles. The higher the proportion that is natural fibres, the more intense and evenly the colour will take. It's the natural fibres that absorb the colour, and the synthetic component rejects it. 50% synthetic is the maximum amount of synthetic fibres to safely go with – and even at this, the colour comes out more diluted.

 

 

Also, be careful with items made up of several different fabrics (e.g. synthetic fabric with cotton thread) – the dye's colour intensity may vary from fabric type.

 

 

Synthetic fibres are best avoided for home dyeing and include:

 

  • Lycra
  • Nylon
  • Goretex
  • Spandex
  • Polyester

 

 

 

 

Tips on Dyeing Fabrics

 

  • Wash your fabric first – this removes dirt and grease, which might give an uneven pigment uptake.
  • Have your fabric wet – this means the colour is taken up more smoothly and often gives a more intense pigment.
  • When using a Dylon Dye in your washing machine, wash the item after dye (to get rid of run-through) and then let the machine do an empty cycle before putting other clothes in – as I'm from the olden days of colouring jeans in a big pot, I have a healthy respect of stains caused by dyes and always make sure my first wash through the machine after dyeing is a dark one. Belt and braces territory.
  • Weigh your item and use the right amount of dye – putting one pack in with a large pair of curtains won't give much of an impact. One dye package will comfortably colour between 600gm of light fabric and up to 1800 gm for pale shades fabrics.

 

 

 

 

How to use Dylon Pods

 

  • Pop item in machine and pre-wash – leave wet
  • Open your Dylon Colour Pod and put it on top of the fabric
  • Put your machine on for a complete wash cycle at 30 to 40 degrees 
  • After dyeing, re-wash the material at 30 to 40 degrees with detergent
  • Run the machine for a quick wash cycle to thoroughly clean the drum (again with detergent)

 

 

 

 

 

Ideas for Home dye

 

Some of these ideas work best for hand dyeing  

 

 

Refresh old jeans

 

We all have a great pair of jeans that we love, but they lose they wow – bring them back to life with Dylon's Navy or Ocean blue or upcycle them with intense black.

 

 

Mix Your Customised colour

 

Dylon comes in a great range of colours, but you can craft your personalised pigment if you want to colour match an item. 

 

 

 

 

 

Tie dye

 

Always a popular choice – use elastic bands or string

 

 

Refresh old Curtains

 

 

Either recolour lighter coloured drapes or refresh darker ones – let your creativity flow by dip dying.

 

 

Make great patterns

 

You can make out a pattern (which won't take up the pigment). Using a double dye technique, you can dye with a light yellow or pale blue and then after waxing your pattern, add a darker dye like dark grey or dark purple.

 

 

 

 

Go for a military look.

 

This one is so easy, but you can never be sure exactly what you get – it's a popular choice for second-hand shop merchants. Dye your jeans, T-shirt etc. and then place it on your backyard and throw bleach (diluted a little) across it. Wherever the bleach hits, it becomes paler, and you get a mottled army print look in a unique colour palette – be sure to wash your clothing immediately to remove bleach. It's great for jeans and curtains for boys rooms. 

 

 

 

 

 

Dye Old Tennis Shoes

 

Bring old shoes back to life or give your summer wardrobe a coordinated look – A fun idea is to colour each shoe in a different shade or colour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coordinate Curtains & Curtains

 

Using the same colour or mixing it up by dying curtains and cushions in contrasting colours brings your home to life with Dylon's Great Range of Colours.

 

 

 

 

 

Add to your crafting Hobbie.

 

If you sew, then Dylon opens up enormous possibilities for you. Colouring fabrics before quilting, dye a lampshade before decorating – coordinate an applique cushion with the perfect base shade – the possibilities are endless.

 

As a quilter, I have found I keep a roll of basic white fabric and colour it to give me the missing piece of cloth I always need. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dylons Range of Colours

 

 

We do run out of specific Dylon Colour Pods from time to time – if you can't see the colour you want, give us a quick call or email, and we will source it for you. The washing machine dyes come in a great range of colours – remember, you can mix a personalised colour by combining different pigments. Colours available include:

 

 

  • Deep Violet - this vivid Amethyst colour gives a glamourous edge to your wardrobe.
  • Dusty Violet – This eludes the feeling of French architecture mixed with lavender-filled fields. Luxurious yet straightforward – add elegance to your home or your wardrobe. Terrific on accessories such as scarves and hats or home décors like curtains and cushions.
  • Emerald Green – the richest of greens, whether it's to bring a black pair of jeans back to life (with a twist) or for on-trend home décor, this is a luxurious and intense pigment that brings your project alive. Individuality with comfort.
  • Espresso Brown – This home dye pulls together so many neutral home décor themes that we all love in a coffee-obsessed world. A rich, warm dark brown adds depth and detail to modern Swedish décor themes.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Forest Green is a fresh colour that works great with rich, vibrant colours such as navy or zesty oranges.
  • Fresh Orange – This adds a positive vibe to pale décor or a fantastic zing to darker, more sophisticated looks 
  • Intense Black – always the top seller, this pigment is used to revitalize clothing. A rich classic hue.
  • Jeans Blue is another of the most popular Dylon pods. It brings your favourite jeans, jackets, and bags back to life. Also famous for crafting and home décor – it's a great one to keep at home.
  • Navy Blue – Very on-trend both in fashion and décor, this pigment works excellent when contrasted with reds and bright yellows. Similarly, it can add pop to a neutral palette or complement blues for a layered look.
  • Ocean Blue – Anyone how loves the New England Home Trend will love this colour. Great with a palette of off whites and tans. Just enough blue to add contrast while still being warm. 
  • Olive Green – This is a warm, toning green that sits alongside a natural palette. Natural and calming.
  • Paradise Blue – Bring a feeling of holidays to your wardrobe or home. A great dye to bring alive old holiday clothes and old tennis shoes.

 

 

 

​

 

 

  • Passion Pink – A total favourite of crafters and thrift shop junkies. Add a pop of colour to any look. 
  • Peony Pink – This is a delicate pink which whispers feminity and old-world charm. It blends into neutral palettes rather than contrasting them. 
  • Plum Red – Rich and romantic. This adds depth and warmth to any scheme. 
  • Rosewood Red - Capture the delicate beauty of the autumn season in all its glory with Rosewood Red. Any time of the year, this rich woody tone creates a warm, inviting mood in any home.
  • Sandy Beige – This soft neutral shade is great to reuse old dirty whites. It adds a hint of sand, transforming washed out blouses into sophisticated, renewed pieces of clothing. It's also great as part of a beachside home décor theme – I love it when it's teamed with tans and Esspresso with a twist of ocean blue. 

​

 

 

​

 

 

  • Smoke Grey – Of all the colours, this is the Dylon Pod which has taken Ireland's Upcylcers by storm. Grey is such a versatile colour – it can be used as a part of a layered neutral look or contrasted with oranges, yellows and pinks for drama. Whether for fashion or home, it's the on-trend colour of this season.
  • Sunflower Yellow – This bright, happy colour takes courage to use. Great for accessories or on kids clothing and décor. 
  • Tropical Green – Vivid and fun – great when teamed up with Fuschia or Yellow – an essential home dye for people who love colour clashing fun looks.
  • Tulip Red – Sunning, sensual and alive. This is a colour of passion. Great for bringing that little summer dress back to life or uplifting paler items. Team it up with black for a classic bright look or layer with white for that festive feeling
  • Vintage Blue - Always a favourite shade of blue, this pastel, antique blue is a soft colour. Blended with creams, it gives an old-world feel – a classic.