Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Pretreating the fabric for natural dyeing
• Part 2 of 3: Fixing the color after staining
• Part 3 of 3: Maintaining color
• What do you need
• Pretreatment of fabric for dyeing with natural dyes
• Fixing the color after staining
• Maintaining color

If you plan to use natural dyes, then the fabric must be pretreated before dyeing, since these dyes are usually not as bright as other types of dyes. After you finish dyeing the fabric, fix the color with a solution of water, white vinegar and salt. Wash freshly dyed fabrics separately from other items for the first 1-2 washings. Finally, a cold wash will help keep the dyed fabric bright. Vinegar and baking soda will help protect the color of dyed fabrics when washed in the washing machine.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Pretreating the fabric for natural dyeing

1. 1 Fill a large saucepan with the fixing solution. Pour salt and / or vinegar into a saucepan. Add enough cold water to completely cover the fabric.
   • For berry dyes, use 1/2 cup (150 g) salt for every eight cups (2 L) water.
   • For herbal dyes, use one part vinegar for every four parts water.
2. 2 Submerge the cloth in the boiling solution. Bring the solution to a boil over high heat. And reduce the temperature to medium-low to maintain a simmer. Submerge the cloth in water and simmer for an hour.
   • You can use tongs to gently dip the cloth into the boiling solution.
3. 3 Rinse the fabric. Remove the pan from heat and let cool. Remove the cloth from the pan and wring it out. Hand wash the fabric in cold water.
   • If you're in a hurry, you can drain the pot and immediately cool the fabric in a sink filled with cold water.

Part 2 of 3: Fixing the color after staining

1. 1 Mix the vinegar in a bucket or large glass bowl. Pour in 1-2 cups (240-480 ml) vinegar. Add a generous pinch of sea salt or table salt. Pour in just enough water to completely cover the fabric.
   • 1-2 teaspoons (7-14 g) salt in a large bowl. If using a bucket, add more salt.
   • Use 1 cup (240 ml) vinegar per bowl or 2 cups (480 ml) vinegar per bucket.
2. 2 Soak the cloth in the solution for a while. Wear gloves before handling dyed fabric. Place the cloth in the solution. Rinse until the fabric is completely saturated with the solution.
   • Soak the fabric for half an hour to an hour.
3. 3 Machine wash fabric. Remove the cloth from the bowl or bucket and wring it out. Place the fabric in the washing machine.Add 1/2 cup (150 g) table salt and one cup (240 ml) white vinegar if desired. Set the wash cycle to cold water. Machine squeeze or hang to dry.
   • Do not put other items in the washing machine for one or two washings with the dyed cloth.
   • Adding salt and vinegar is optional. Make sure they can be used in your washing machine.
   • No detergent is required for the first wash. A small amount can be added if desired.

Part 3 of 3: Maintaining color

1. 1 Wash the fabric in cold water. Do not use warm or hot water to wash dyed fabrics. Select a cold wash cycle and use a detergent for colored items.
2. 2 Add baking soda to the washing machine. Add 1/2 cup (90 g) baking soda during the wash cycle. Or use a liquid laundry detergent with baking soda.
   • Baking soda helps dyed fabrics stay vibrant.
   • Plus, baking soda will solve the odor problem in your washing machine!
3. 3 Add vinegar during the rinse cycle. Add 1/4 cup (60 ml) white vinegar for small items, and 1/2 cup (120 ml) for large items. Use this technique to keep colors vibrant and naturally soften fabrics.
   • Vinegar softens fabrics by dissolving mineral salts, soap and detergent residues.
   • Vinegar also has antimicrobial properties and is safer than chemicals.

What do you need

Pretreatment of fabric for dyeing with natural dyes

• Large saucepan or bucket
• Salt
• Vinegar
• Forceps

Fixing the color after staining

• Bucket or large glass bowl
• White vinegar
• Salt
• Gloves
• Washing machine

Maintaining color

• Washing machine
• Baking soda
• White vinegar