Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Dyeing your polyester clothing can be a great way to highlight your personality. Although polyester, like other synthetic fibers, can be very difficult to dye, the process can be done successfully. Armed with some tools and knowledge, you should be able to learn how to dye polyester fabric. Read the following steps to properly dye your polyester fabric.

Steps

1. 1 Buy the correct type of paint. Polyester cannot be dyed with the same types of dyes that work well with natural fabrics such as cotton. Using this type of paint will result in little or no discoloration of the garment. To dye polyester, you need to buy so called dispersed dyes. Disperse dyes consist of a finely ground dye additive distributed in a dispersion medium, they are solid like a paste or powder.
2. 2 Wash your clothes to remove oil stains and dirt. Wash the garment as you would normally - in the washing machine with hot water. Never use any fabric softener or detergent powder. It is best to use a fragrance-free laundry detergent. If you have an old washing machine, we recommend using Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. But NOT more than one teaspoon per meter of fabric. This step involves preparing the fabric for dyeing by removing all dirt. Do not put the cloth or garment in the dryer after completing this step.
3. 3 Put on your personal protective equipment. Before starting the process, you need to put on rubber gloves, an apron, goggles, and a respirator. A respirator and safety goggles prevent finely ground paint powder from getting in your eyes, nose and mouth, which can cause irritation. Gloves and an apron prevent paint staining on your hands and clothes - if your skin is stained with dispersed paint, it will be very difficult to remove it.
4. 4 Prepare your staining bath. Fill a large steel or enamel pot with 7.5 liters of water. This amount of water will allow you to dye about 450 g of polyester fabric. Do not use an aluminum pan as the metal will react with the dye. Bring water to a boil.
5. 5 Dissolve the dye powder. Add the correct amount of dye to a small cup of hot water. For a pale color, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of dye will suffice, for a richer color add 3 teaspoons (15 ml). Stir the colorant thoroughly before dissolving with a wooden or steel tool - do not use aluminum, and do not use a spoon that you intend to use for cooking later. If the dye is not completely dissolved, then strain the resulting gruel through cheesecloth before use. The mask can now be removed. Once the powder has dissolved, it will be safe to breathe.
6. 6 Pour the mixture into a bath of boiling water along with a little detergent for the laundry. Adding half a teaspoon (2.5 ml) of laundry detergent will help the polyester absorb the dye. Stir the bath to distribute the dye and detergent.
7. 7 Place a polyester garment in a tub of boiling water. Let the garment simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally with a steel or wooden spoon. If the garment is not dyed to the desired color in 30 minutes, boil it longer.
8. 8 When the garment is the color you want, take it out of the bathroom. Rinse the garment in running water until it becomes translucent. Be careful not to stain your sink with dye.After rinsing the garment thoroughly, wash it in the washing machine (do not add any other items to the load), after which the garment can be worn.

Tips

• Consider learning how to dye cotton fabric first. Polyester is one of the most difficult fabrics to dye.

Warnings

• Do not attempt to dye a dry clean only weave. You will ruin your clothes.

What do you need

• Disperse dye
• Polyester fabric
• Washing machine
• Latex gloves
• Apron
• Protective glasses
• Respirator
• Steel or enamelled saucepan
• Water
• Cup
• Wooden spoon
• Gauze
• Detergent for washing clothes