Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Dyeing polyester with Rit DyeMore
• Method 2 of 2: Dyeing polyester with disperse dyes
• Tips
• Warnings

Polyester is a fabric that is very difficult to dye, especially if a garment is 100% polyester. That's because polyester is a synthetic fabric, made from petroleum, and because of the processing process, it's actually a type of plastic. As a result, polyester is water-repellent and does not absorb anything. However, there are a few products with which you can still dye polyester and polyester mix.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Dyeing polyester with Rit DyeMore

1. Weigh the garment you want to dye so you know how much dye you need. Rit DyeMore is a textile dye that you can order on the internet. In general, you can dye about 1 kilo of fabric with a bottle of DyeMore.
   • If you are dyeing very light or very dark clothes you may need an extra bottle, so be prepared for that if you are.
   • For polyester you may also need a second bottle of DyeMore as it is synthetic fabric.
   • The darker you want the fabric to be, the more dye you will need.
2. Wash the garment before dyeing it. This removes the protective layer that could otherwise prevent the paint from being absorbed. Use warm water with detergent to wash the garment.
   • Use a tub or sink for smaller items, such as scarves or short-sleeved T-shirts.
   • Use a large bucket or bathtub for large items, such as long-sleeved shirts, jackets, or pants.
3. If you like tie dye, consider tying up the pieces you want to dye. You can make all kinds of patterns, such as rosettes, sun rays, spirals, and so on. Here are some ideas to get you started:
   • For a simple, crumpled look, crumple your garment into a ball and secure it with a pair of large rubber elastics.
   • For stripes, you wind your garment like a rope, and put several elastic bands around it. Keep a few centimeters between the elastics.
   • For a sun or spiral: Grab the center of your garment (such as a T-shirt or handkerchief) and turn it around. Keep turning until your garment takes on the shape of a Zeeland bolus. Secure it by wrapping a few elastic bands around it.
4. Bring 12 liters of water to a boil in a large saucepan on the stove. Since it can be difficult to dye polyester, it is best to do it on the stove as it will allow you to reach high temperatures.
   • When the pan is filled with 12 liters of water, put the lid on and turn the heat to high. Heat the water until it almost boils.
   • Use a kitchen thermometer, as the dyeing process requires an even temperature of 80ºC. The thermometer ensures that you can keep the water at that temperature.
5. Pour a bottle of DyeMore into the pan when the water is simmering. Shake the bottle of paint before adding it to the pan to make sure all the paint is in it. Then add 1 teaspoon of dish soap and stir with a long spoon.
   • If the fabric you are going to dye is white and you want to get a light pastel shade, add half a bottle of DyeMore first. You can easily add more paint later.
   • If you want to dye your fabric in more than one color, pour the lightest color into the pan first. You then have to make a separate dye bath for the other color (s).
6. Test the color on a small piece of white cotton. Then you know if the paint is the shade you want.
   • If it is too light, add a little more paint. You may need more than one bottle. Test the color again with a piece of white cotton.
   • If the color is too dark, add more water. Test the color again with a piece of white cotton.
   • If more paint is going to add, don't forget to shake the second bottle well as well.
7. Dip the garment in the dye bath. Slowly and continuously stir the garment through the dye bath for a minimum of 30 minutes. In order for the color to fully absorb into the clothing, polyester must remain in the dye bath for at least that long. Use tongs to lift the garment and move it back and forth through the pan. Wear rubber gloves to do this so you don't get paint on your skin.
   • If you plan to dye your entire garment, dip it completely in the dye bath. It must be completely submerged.
   • If you want to dye only part of the fabric, dip it only partially in the dye bath. For example, you can drape the rest of the fabric over the edge of the pan.
   • Leave the garment in the dye bath, even if you have achieved the desired color result after less than 30 minutes. The color will still wash out of the fabric if it hasn't been set in long enough, making it look lighter than you'd like.
8. Remove the clothing from the dye bath when it is the desired color. Squeeze excess paint from the fabric above the pan. Make sure to wear rubber gloves when doing this as the paint will be difficult to get off your hands. Remember that the shade will lighten even more when the clothes are dry.
   • If you put rubber bands around the fabric, gently loosen them with scissors.
9. Rinse the garment under hot water. While you are rinsing, keep turning the tap colder. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.
   • If you want to add more colors to your garment, you can place it in another dye bath after rinsing. Make sure you rinse the clothes well after each dye bath.
10. Wash the garment again in warm water with detergent. Then rinse it out. This will remove the last remnants of paint.
11. Wrap an old towel around your garment to squeeze out excess moisture. Spread an old towel on the floor and put your garment on it. Roll up the towel with the garment in it. Press down on the rolled up towel and gently squeeze it. Try to get as much moisture out of it as possible.
    • If you have a very large item of clothing, you may need to repeat this step a few times with a new towel. Large pieces can absorb more moisture than smaller ones.
12. Hang the garment to let it dry. Hang it on a coat hanger in a room with good ventilation. If not, hang it in the bathroom and turn on the extractor. Make sure to put old newspapers or towels underneath to catch drips. There is a small chance that some dye will still come out of the garment.
    • Use a normal hanger for shirts and jackets.
    • Use a trouser hanger or a clip-on hanger to hang a pair of trousers, scarf or handkerchief. Do not hang anything over the fabric while it is drying.

Method 2 of 2: Dyeing polyester with disperse dyes

1. Wash the garment to prepare it for dyeing. There are two methods, but it is important to give the fabric a good cleaning so that it can absorb the disperse dye.
   • Wash the clothes in the washing machine at the highest possible temperature with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (sodium carbonate) and 1/2 teaspoon of Synthrapol (available on the Internet). Synthrapol helps to clean and prepare the garment for dyeing.
   • Hand wash the garment in a pan on the stove with 1/2 teaspoon soda (sodium carbonate) and 1/2 teaspoon Synthrapol.
2. Tie the fabric with elastics if you like tie dye. You can make all kinds of patterns, such as rosettes, sun rays, spirals, and so on. Here are some ideas:
   • For a simple, crumpled look, crumple your garment into a ball and secure it with a pair of large rubber elastics.
   • For stripes, wind your garment like a rope, and put several elastic bands around it. Keep a few centimeters between the elastics.
   • For a sun or spiral: Grab the center of your garment (such as a T-shirt or handkerchief) and turn it around. Keep turning until your garment takes on the shape of a Zeeland bolus. Secure it by wrapping it with some elastics.
3. Dissolve the disperse dye in 250 ml of boiling water. Stir the paint into the boiling water and let it cool to room temperature. When it has cooled, stir it again. Then pour it through two layers of nylon stocking before adding it to the dye bath. Depending on how light or dark you want your garment to be, there are different amounts of dye powder you should use. Here are some combinations to get you started:
   • Pastel: ¼ tsp
   • Medium: ¾ tsp
   • Dark: 3 teaspoons
   • Black: 6 teaspoons
4. Dilute 2 tablespoons of carrier or binder with 250 ml of boiling water and stir. The carrier or binder is needed to achieve dark colors, but it is optional for pastel or medium shades. You will add this diluted binder to the dye bath later.
5. Fill a large pan with 8 liters of water and heat it to 50ºC on the stove. Once the water is at the correct temperature, add the following ingredients in the order shown here. Stir the mixture after each ingredient you added.
   • ½ teaspoon Synthrapol
   • 1 teaspoon of citric acid or 11 teaspoons of distilled white vinegar.
   • The diluted carrier, if you use that.
   • ¾ teaspoon of sodium hexametaphosphate, optional unless the water is hard in your area.
   • The dissolved and sieved disperse dye.
6. Add the washed clothes to the dye bath. Stir the mixture well one more time before adding the clothes.
7. Bring the dye bath to a boil. Stir the mixture constantly as you bring it to a boil. Make sure you don't over-fold the fabric. Doing so may not dye the garment evenly.
8. Once it comes to a boil, lower the heat and let the dye bath simmer for 30-45 minutes while stirring continuously. The longer you let it soak, the darker the color will be. Remember to be careful when stirring so that you do not fold the fabric and so that the clothes are dyed evenly.
9. Heat a second pan with water to 80ºC while the dye bath is simmering. When the garment is the color you want, remove it from the dye bath and put it in the second pot of hot water.
   • Make sure the temperature is really 80ºC, because at lower temperatures it will stink and you will get a layer on the fabric.
   • Completely submerge the garment in water to rinse it.
10. Discard the dye bath and fill the pan with 70ºC water. You are going to mix this up to wash the fabric one more time before letting it dry.
    • Add 1/2 teaspoon Synthrapol to the water and stir.
    • Place the garment in this pan. Stir continuously for 5-10 minutes.
11. Rinse the garment well with hot water. Once the water is clear, put the garment in a towel and wring it out.
    • Smell when it has been rinsed and wrung from the garment. If it still smells like the paint carrier, repeat steps 7 and 8 above to remove the odor.
    • If the garment doesn't smell, you can hang it up to let it dry.
    • If you had elastics wrapped around your fabric, cut them before rinsing.

Tips

• In addition to rubber gloves, it may be beneficial to use other protective materials, such as an apron, old clothing and goggles. A mask may also be recommended for Method 2, so you don't inhale the powder.

Warnings

• Do not use utensils that prepare food to dye clothes.
• Ventilate the area where you dye the clothes well by opening the windows. Then the vapors of the paint can escape from the room.
• Only paint clothes in stainless steel or enamel pans. Pans made of a different material can become stained, making them unusable. The same goes for things that you stir with; they must also be made of stainless steel.
• Do not attempt to dye fabrics that say "Dry Clean Only". If you do, you will ruin the garment.