Dyeing clothes / laundry - instructions and tips for home remedies

• Which fabrics are dyeable "> Classic textile dye
• Home remedy 1: natural colors from plants
• Home remedies 2: tea and coffee

Coloring clothes is a very special experience that stimulates your artistic side or gives a fresh touch to old linen. It is not only important how colored, but with what and how the used color affects the result. It is even possible to color even gradients at home, which can lead to particularly fashionable ideas.

Whether you use textile dye from different manufacturers or decide on a home remedy, the possibilities for dyeing linen and clothing are great. Important in this creative process are not only the preparation and selection of the colorant, but the selected material, since not all are dyeable. If it was decided which fabric is to be dyed, then the desired color can be selected. From this opens up the respective dyeing method, which are different demanding or time required. Then you can look forward to garments that exude your own character or shine in the trend colors of the season.

Or are you interested in Batik "> Batik Instructions

Which fabrics are dyeable?

This point is probably the most important in dyeing. Not every fabric can be so easily dyed with dyes, because for example, many synthetic fibers simply do not absorb the color. If you want to redesign your garments, they should be made exclusively of the following materials:

• cotton
• linen
• Halbleinen
• viscose
• cellulose
• Silk is dyed exclusively with natural colors, more rarely with special textile colors
• Wool of all kinds is dyed exclusively with natural colors, more rarely with special textile colors
• Blended fabrics with a natural of at least 60 percent

As you can see, these are the classic natural materials that have been dyed for thousands of years with a variety of dyes because of their nature. However, the following materials will not take a bit of color, as they will simply drain in most cases. If it comes to a result, this is correspondingly dissatisfied:

• polyester
• acrylic
• polyacrylic
• polyamide

Of course, this includes all other, synthetic textiles. For this reason, if your garment or underwear made of natural fibers has synthetic appliqués or seams, you do not have to dye them, no matter how much color you use. That can not be prevented. It is also important to mention that the color intensity during dyeing always has to be considered. That is, the darker a garment is, the worse it can be treated with light color. For example, black can not be dyed in any way, while white linen can best be dyed.

Classic textile color

Textile paint is the classic way to dye laundry. These colors are special salts and, depending on the product, fixers that provide an intense color result. They are offered by different manufacturers, with simplicol from the German Warburg is one of the most famous producers. With textile dyes, depending on the product, more than 20 colors are available, which can be used for a variety of ideas. To get a new coat of paint on your clothing, you need the following materials:

• Textile color in the desired tone
• Coloring salt, if not included in the product
• Washing machine
• Vinegar or all-purpose cleaner

The required amount can be easily calculated. Textile dyes are usually offered in 70 to 150 gram packs, the price varies between 2.50 euros and 5 euros. This depends on the manufacturer and of course the product variant, as there are, for example, intense or normal-looking colors. On average, 100 grams of textile paint is sufficient for about 450 grams of dry fabric. This amount corresponds approximately to the following items of clothing:

• 1 jeans
• 3 T-shirts
• 2 skirts

The more fabric you want to dye with a pack, the weaker the colors become. So you should pay attention to the dosage. Alternatively, you can take a color fixative, which strengthens the colors and against bleeding, so the bleeding of the paint on the laundry and clothing works. These are usually offered for 1.50 euros per pack and wash. When you have selected the required amount, you can start dyeing:

Step 1: First you need to moisten the laundry. To do this, place it either in a large tub, bowl or bath. After wringing it is placed in the washing machine.

Step 2: If you are using the dye fixer, you will need to cut it and place it in the drum for washing. Close the door afterwards.

Step 3: Start a light-care program (40 ° C) and let it run for a maximum of five minutes. Press Stop.

Step 4: Now fill the textile dye into the detergent compartment. Rinse with one liter of clean water to help spread the color.

Step 5: Let the program run to the end.

Step 6: After the washing program, wash the clothes as usual with detergent, but without softener. After the end of the program, simply dry the laundry. It can now be worn.

Step 7: If stains appear on the washing machine or in the bathroom, you just have to use a little vinegar or general purpose cleaner. These work very well against the color.

Tip: Never use textile dyes if your wastewater is routed to ecological water treatment plants. Although the colors themselves are safe for humans, animals and nature, you could still disturb the water cycle.

Home remedy 1: natural colors from plants

In addition to textile dye, you can use natural colors, a popular home remedy, to dye the clothes. These are plants, berries and spices that have been used in ancient times for coloring and represent the oldest form of color ever. The best options are:

• Dyer's rash: various reds, with stain alum (light), copper sulfate (medium red) or potassium dichromate (burgundy)
• Cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries: various pinks, with stain salt
• Red cabbage: pink, with pickle vinegar

• Elderberries: purple, with stain alum
• Indigo plant or German Indigo: blue without stain
• Nettle, yarrow, birch leaf and bark: different shades of green, with stain iron sulphate
• Spinach: light green, with pickle vinegar
• white onion skins: orange, with pickle vinegar
• Turmeric: golden yellow, with stain alum or vinegar
• Chamomile flowers, marigold blossoms: light yellow, with pickle vinegar

These colors are possible with the plants available in Germany. The stain is an important step before the actual dyeing and prepares the fibers better for the absorption of the substance. For this reason, the stain should necessarily be carried out. This technique was typical of the Middle Ages. When dosing the natural color, it depends on how much you want the final result, because here means: the more, the better; except for turmeric and indigo, these are by nature extremely colorful. The following items are required:

• vegetable dyes
• Pickling agent: 1 liter of water for 0.25 liters of vinegar, 0.5 liters of salt, 1 teaspoon of alum and others
• Pot in which the laundry to be dyed fits
• Gloves for the household

Instructions for dyeing:

1st step: Wash laundry without fabric softener or detergent at 40 ° C to 60 ° C.

2nd step: Then mix the pickling agent with the above-mentioned mixing ratio. Set the stove to low heat and let the clothes soak for 1 to 2 hours.

Step 3: Thoroughly rinse your clothes in the shower or bath. Avoid doing this in the garden so that no mordants get into the ground.

Step 4: Now use so much water in the saucepan that your laundry has enough space. Bring to a simmer.

Step 5: Add natural color, ie berries, plant parts or spices.

Step 6: Now the clothes are put in and dyed together with the colorant at simmering heat.

Step 7: The necessary exposure time is 30 minutes for 1 l of water. In the waiting time the color bath again and again stir. Depending on the substance, color intensity, water quality and own preference, the exposure time can vary significantly. Longer here is usually more effective.

Step 8: Finally, rinse with cold water until no more color comes out. Wear your gloves. Hang up to dry.

Home remedies 2: tea and coffee

These home remedies are not intended for long-lasting colors, but bring an interesting aspect to the coloring of fabrics. However, coffee and tea can only be used for light, monochrome natural fibers other than wool and silk. The only thing you need is a tea of ​​your choice or coffee and dry linen. When choosing the tea, the following are available:

• black tea
• green tea, no mud
• yellow tea
• blue tea
• White tea, only with pure white fabrics, produces a very faint, yellowish tone
• Pu-erh tea
• Oolong

All of these teas contain caffeine, theaflavins and thearubigins, which makes dyeing possible. For the dyeing process, you only need one bowl and a large amount of tea or coffee. Small clothes and underwear, especially underwear, can be dyed well with this variant. Proceed as follows:

• Cook tea or coffee
• Place garment in a dish or tub
• to pour in the drink
• depending on the desired intensity of the color, this should take 12 to 48 hours
• then remove, wring out and hang to dry

A disadvantage of this color is its volatility. A cooking wash is not possible here and after several normal washes, even gentle programs, the color says goodbye. It inspires you with a pleasant smell of coffee or tea. If you use vinegar in both variants as a mordant, you can increase the color intensity even more. Tea gives the garments a light brown, beige or slightly bluish tone, while coffee provides a darker brown.