SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- Synthetic Workout Top
- Rit® DyeMore for Synthetics
- Stainless Steel Pot
- Measuring Cup
- Metal Tongs
- Rubber Gloves
- Dishwashing Liquid
- Plastic Table Cover
- Paper Towels
- Optional: ColorStay Dye Fixative (if dyeing a blend with cotton, linen, ramie or rayon)
DIRECTIONS:
- Pre-wash top in warm, soapy water without any fabric softener. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
- Cover work area around stove with plastic table cover or newspaper and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills.
- Wear rubber gloves to protect hands from getting stained and to insulate them when working with hot water.
- Due to the complexity of dyeing synthetics, you must use the stovetop method to maintain an almost boiling temperature for the duration of your dyeing (200F or greater).
- Fill a stainless-steel pot with enough water for the fabric to move freely. We recommend using three gallons of water for every pound of fabric.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
- Cover pot and heat water on stove top to just below boiling (or around 200F).
- When water begins to simmer, add well-shaken dye and mix well.
- Add damp top into dye bath.
- Keep temperature at a low simmer for the duration of your dyeing.
- Stir slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are the most critical. Stirring helps to ensure an even color.
- Item can remain in dye bath from 10 minutes up to one hour. If dyeing polyester or a polyester cotton blend, keep the fabric in the dye bath for at least 30 minutes to ensure that the color takes fully. Nylon tends to dye very quickly and much darker than other fibers so the actual time needed in the dye bath is less.
- When desired color is achieved, remove from dye bath. Fabric will look darker when wet and will dry lighter. Squeeze out excess dye.
- If dyeing a blend containing cotton, linen, rayon or ramie, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing, while it's still bound to enhance the color and reduce color bleeding.
- Rinse in warm water and then gradually cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
- Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.