How to Dye Fabric with RIT All-Purpose Dye

This method is suitable for dyeing small and medium-sized items.

1. Weigh the dry fabric. As a general guideline, use one package of dye for up to 500 g of dry fabric.
2. Pre-wash the item. Use warm water and detergent, but do not add fabric softener.
3. Protect your work surface. Cover the work area with plastic or another waterproof material and wear rubber gloves.
4. Prepare the dye bath. Fill the container with enough water for the fabric to move freely. RIT recommends approximately 11.5 litres of water for every 500 g of fabric. The water temperature should ideally be around 60 °C.
5. Add salt or vinegar depending on the fibre. For cotton, linen, viscose or ramie, add 240 ml of salt. For wool, silk or nylon, add 240 ml of white vinegar.
6. Add 5 ml of dishwashing liquid. This helps promote even dye absorption.
7. Dissolve the powder dye separately. Thoroughly dissolve the RIT Powder Dye in approximately 470 ml of very hot water. Stir until the powder is completely dissolved.
8. Add the dye solution to the dye bath and mix thoroughly.
9. Test the colour. Dip a white paper towel into the dye bath. If the colour is too light, add more dye. If it is too dark, add more water.
10. Wet the fabric. Wet the fabric with clean water and squeeze out any excess water.
11. Place the fabric in the dye bath.
12. Stir slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are particularly important, as continuous movement helps prevent blotches and uneven colour.
13. Leave the fabric in the dye bath for 10–60 minutes. The longer the fabric remains in the dye bath, the deeper the colour will generally become. Cotton-polyester blends should remain in the dye bath for at least 30 minutes. Nylon tends to dye very quickly and may become darker than other fibres.
14. Remove the fabric when the desired colour has been achieved. Remember that wet fabric looks darker and will become lighter as it dries.
15. If desired, use RIT ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing. This can improve colour retention and reduce colour bleeding during washing.
16. Rinse the fabric in cool water until the rinse water begins to run clear.
17. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

The stovetop method makes it easier to maintain a high and even temperature and is particularly suitable when you want a more intense colour result.

1. Weigh the dry fabric and calculate the required amount of dye.
2. Pre-wash the fabric in warm water with detergent without fabric softener.
3. Protect the work surface and put on rubber gloves.
4. Fill a stainless steel pot with enough water for the fabric to move freely. Use approximately 11.5 litres of water for every 500 g of fabric.
5. Depending on the fibre content, add 240 ml of salt for cotton, linen, viscose or ramie, or 240 ml of white vinegar for wool, silk or nylon.
6. Add 5 ml of dishwashing liquid.
7. Cover the pot and heat the water to just below boiling, approximately 93 °C.
8. Dissolve the powder dye separately in 470 ml of very hot water.
9. When the water begins to simmer gently, add the dissolved dye and mix well.
10. Test the colour with a white paper towel. Add more dye or water if necessary.
11. Wet the fabric, squeeze out excess water and place it in the dye bath.
12. Keep the dye bath at a gentle simmer throughout the dyeing process.
13. Stir the fabric slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are particularly important.
14. Leave the fabric in the dye bath for 10–60 minutes. For cotton-polyester blends, leave it for at least 30 minutes.
15. Once the desired colour has been achieved, remove the fabric and carefully squeeze out the excess dye.
16. If desired, use RIT ColorStay Dye Fixative before washing.
17. Rinse first in warm water and gradually make the water cooler. Continue rinsing until the rinse water begins to run clear.
18. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

The dye should not permanently stain the metal components of the washing machine, but it may stain plastic parts if they are not cleaned immediately after dyeing.

1. Remove any stains from the fabric and pre-wash the item without fabric softener.
2. Wet the fabric and place it in the washing machine.
3. Select the hottest possible water temperature and a wash cycle of at least 30 minutes.
4. Put on rubber gloves.
5. Dissolve the powder dye in approximately 950 ml of very hot water. Mix thoroughly.
6. Prepare a separate solution. For cotton and linen, dissolve 240 ml of salt in 950 ml of very hot water. For silk or nylon, mix 240 ml of white vinegar with 470–950 ml of hot water.
7. Add 5 ml of dishwashing liquid to the solution.
8. Start the wash cycle.
9. Remove the removable detergent cup from the detergent drawer, if your machine has one.
10. Pour the dye solution into the dispenser.
11. Then add the salt or vinegar solution.
12. Flush the dispenser with approximately 950 ml of hot tap water to ensure that all the dye enters the washing machine.
13. If desired, use RIT ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing.
14. Rewash the dyed item in warm water with a mild detergent.

Cleaning the washing machine

Clean up any dye splashes immediately after dyeing.

Wipe around the door and seals and clean the detergent drawer.

According to RIT's instructions, you can then run an empty hot wash cycle using detergent, 470 ml of chlorine bleach and three old towels.

1. Remove any stains from the fabric and pre-wash the item without fabric softener.
2. Select the hottest water setting and fill the washing machine with enough water for the fabric to move freely.
3. Dissolve the RIT Powder Dye in 470 ml of hot water.
4. Add the dissolved dye to the washing machine and mix thoroughly.
5. Wet the fabric and place it in the dye bath.
6. For cotton or linen, add 240 ml of salt. For silk or nylon, add 240 ml of white vinegar.
7. Add 5 ml of dishwashing liquid.
8. The fabric should remain in the dye bath for at least 30 minutes and no longer than approximately 1 hour before the rinse cycle begins. If necessary, use an extended wash cycle or restart the wash stage before the rinse cycle begins. In general, the longer the item remains in the dye bath, the darker the colour will become.
9. Large items, such as curtains, should occasionally be untangled and repositioned during dyeing to prevent lighter or unevenly dyed areas. Wear rubber gloves when handling the item.
10. If desired, use RIT ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing.
11. Rewash the item in warm water with a mild detergent.
12. After dyeing, clean the washing machine and any dye splashes.