It is fun to cosplay by making clothes yourself. Maybe you can make a vibrant color cloth by dyeing. If you are planning to Dye Polyester Fabric, then you must know if is it possible to do it. Dyeing is a process that doesn’t go well with many fabrics. Different fabrics come with various elements and mechanisms.
So you can say There are some fabrics that cause a bad reaction when it comes to contact with dyes. There are many types of dyes. As polyester fabric cost is low compared to others, you can experiment with it. Such as can you dye polyester fabric? Can you dye polyester with a regular fit? Can you dye polyester fabric with tea or with Dylon?
Now you must be thinking, can you dye polyester? The answer is yes. It is possible to dye polyester. This is because most of the fabric has a small or large percentage of polyester. Because the synthetic material, it makes color vibrant. You can use dispersed dyes as they only work on synthetic materials such as polyester. As polyester is hydrophobic, it doesn’t absorb the colors.
So now that you know you can dye polyester fabric, do you know how to do it? You can not dye every fabric in the same process. So here in this article, we will go into depth into this.
Can You Dye Polyester Fabric?
If you have the right materials and you know the process to do, then it will be easy for you to dye polyester fabric. There are special colorant designs especially, synthetic fabrics like polyester fabric.
To dye a polyester fabric, you have to use dispersed dyes as they work best with it. Because of the materials, polyester doesn’t absorb liquid as most fibers do. So it will give the vibrant colorful look that you might want.
However, dyeing polyester fabric is a complicated process. As the colors are set up permanently on this fiber, you need to be careful while dyeing it. You need to give proper heat to dye colors.
Things need to be considered when Dyeing Polyester Fabric at Home
Now that you know, you can dye polyester fabric. Do you know that you can even dye it at home without any problems? Yes. You can do it even at home, even if it has a complicated process. But what you also keep in your mind is, there are some things that you need to keep in your mind while doing the dyeing process. Here in this part of this article, we are going to talk about it.
- The first thing you have to keep in mind is what type of polyester fabric you are going to use. You need to know whether the fabric is 100% polyester or not. If you are getting a readymade item, then make sure to take a look at the label.
Because not every polyester is 100%. Some of these have a blend with other fibers. If your fabric has more than 35% synthetic fibers, then you need to use a special synthetic dye. And not every fabric is comfortable with the process of polyester dye.
- The second is what style you want to give your polyester. Because it also makes a lot of difference in the condition of polyester. And because of it, the shape and design have an effect.
- Make sure the fabric was not dyed before. Because in this way, you can damage pleats, folds, curves, or patterns. Once you have re-dyed the fabric, it will lose its strength.
- In the dyeing process, not every fabric can’t hold boiling water. And for polyester fabric dyeing, you need at least 200℉. So you have to think about it.
- Look at the item carefully if there is any tears, bleached or faded part, or anything like that. Because once you have done dyeing, these parts will make the cloth look bad.
- You have to keep ideas about color combination ideas. Because if you do anything wrong, it will damage the clothes you are dyeing.
- Now the last thing is what dye you want to use. There are many types of dyes available in the market that work really well on polyester fabric. You can look into them.
So these are the things that you need to keep in mind while dyeing polyester fabric at home.
How to Dye Polyester Fabric?
As you know, dyeing polyester is not easy. But it is also not impossible. There are some tricky ways that can help you with dyeing. You can use it for dylon (both of them are dyes for polyester), food coloring, acrylic paint, tea, coffee, and many other things.
Here we are giving you the methods to dye polyester fabrics depending on the type. Hopefully, it helps you to dye polyester fabric even at home without damaging your clothes or anything.
How to Dye Polyester Fabric with Rit?
Rit Dye is a common colorant for dyeing clothes. Many people use it at home. However, if you are planning to use it on polyester fabric, then choose Rit DyeMore. It is because it will work on polyester.
Step-1:
First, you need to know how much fabric you are going to dye. After that, you have to make an idea about how much dye you are going to use. Usually, one package of Rit DyeMore is enough doe at least 2-pound weight fabrics.
Step-2:
After deciding, you need to wash the fabric you are going to dye. Make sure not to use any fabric softener. All you need to use is warm water and soap. When the fabric is in damp condition, it is the best time to dye. So it’s OK if the clothes are not dry.
Step-3:
Make sure to wear gloves and cover the areas around you where you are keeping the stove. You can use a plastic sheet or a paper sheet. Anything will work.
Step-4:
Now you need to take a pot that is large enough to hold 3 gallons of water. Also, it should have enough space to keep your clothes as well as make sure nothing overflows while it is stirring.
Step-5:
After that pour desired water and keep it from 108℉ to 200℉. Now take your dye bottle and shake it a little. After that, pour the amount you need into the water. Now it is time to pour 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid into it. And start to stir.
You can use white color paper to test the color. If you are planning to make the cloth lighter in color, then add some more water. And if you want to make it darker, then you can add more dye liquid to it.
Step-6:
Now keep the cloth in the pot and stir it for around 10 minutes continuously. After that wait for 30 minutes. Now you need to take out the fabric from the pot and rinse it with warm water. After some time, you have to reduce the temperature of the water. Lastly, keep the fabric under running water to rinse.
Step-7:
Once the running water looks clear, you need to stop. Then use soap and warm water to clean the cloth with your hands. Then let it dry.
That’s how you can dye polyester fabric with Rit.
How to Dye Polyester with Food Coloring?
Synthetic fibers have a formula that doesn’t let water-based colorants. You can use any color on fabric such as tempera that will not give a permanent result. So you can say polyester also doesn’t do the same. If you really want to use food colors as a dye, then keep in mind that you won’t get permanent results like other dyes.
Step-1:
Firstly you need to look for a fabric that has a polyester blend. Because 100% polyester won’t give you a great result. And as soon as you rinse it with water, the color will wash away. So, you have to remember this point.
Step-2:
Keep all the materials that you need to use as as close possible. And then place a plastic or paper sheet to cover the whole area where you will work. It will prevent splattering.
Step-3:
Take a bowl and pour white vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:1. Now it depends on the weight of the garments you are going to color.
Step-4:
Now take the fabric and soak it in the mixture. Keep it there for 30 minutes. Then take out the garment and squeeze it carefully.
Step-5:
Now take whatever food color you love. After that in a bowl, pour at least 800 ml to 900 ml water and add 10 to 15 drops of food color. Then keep the cloth in the bowl and squeeze it out.
Step-6:
You need to make sure that your clothes are submerged in the water. After that, you have to stir it with your hands if you are wearing gloves. Once you see that water is clearer after 10 minutes or the highest 20 minutes, it means polyester is absorbing color.
Step-7:
Once the garment soaks color properly, squeeze it. Then keep it inside a resealable plastic bag for 8 hours. After that, you will see a vibrant color.
How to Dye Polyester with Dylon?
Dylon is not a dispersed dye. So it would be better not to use it on 100% polyester. If the fabric has 50% polyester, then you can use Dylon as a dye. And you will get a better result.
Step-1:
Take a kitchen scale that will help you to weigh your garment. It will make sure you know how much dye will be enough for you to use. In this way, you will get the accurate result that you want.
Step-2:
The first thing you have to do is wash the fabric you are going to dye with warm water and soap. You don’t have to think about drying as it would be better to keep it damp.
Step-3:
Per sachet, you need to use 2.25 cups of water and 5 tablespoons of salt. So you can use this ratio to feel your bowl based on the number of clothes you are using.
Step-4:
You have to stir it until it dissolves.
Step-5:
Now you have to keep the cloth in the bowl. And then stir it for at least 60 minutes. Among them, spend 15 minutes mixing continuously.
Step-6:
Now wear a pair of gloves and remove the cloth from the bowl. Use old water to rinse the fabric. You have to keep it until the clear water is running from the clothes.
Step-7:
Now keep the cloth in warm water. Or you can use a warm wash cycle in the washing machine. Now dry the clothes.
Can You Tie Dye Polyester?
Tie-dyed is a hard process when you compare it with others. You can use this process for natural fabrics. But if you are talking about natural fabrics, then it can be a little hard for you to do. Because they can’t absorb as the natural one does.
As polyester is a synthetic material, naturally, it has a low moisture absorption capacity. So while you do this process on polyester, you need to do some specific steps that will help you bring out the colors on the cloth. While you are doing the tie-dye process, make sure to keep the room at a temperature above 70 degrees and after rinsing, use a pH-neutral strength detergent.
Conclusion:
So now, bring out the largest pot in your house and do some dyeing on your polyester fabric. It can be both a fun and educational way to learn about things. It can also be a great way to spend your time. Hopefully, through this article, now you have become professional at dyeing polyester fabric. And it has become easy for you to dye polyester fabric.
So have you tried to dye polyester fabric? If so, then tell us your experience.