Neon Green Sweater

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• White Sweater (cotton, linen, silk, wool, ramie, and/or blends less than 35% synthetic material)
• Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye, Neon Green
• Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
• 4 Gallon Bucket
• Dishwashing Liquid
• Rubber Gloves
• Measuring Cup
• Large Metal Spoon
• Plastic Table Cover
• Salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. The sweater we dyed was 100% cotton, so we used Rit All-Purpose Dye with the directions below. A lot of sweaters these days are made with acrylic fibers, which requires our dye for synthetics, Rit DyeMore. Directions for using Rit DyeMore can be found here.
2. Cover table with plastic and gather your supplies.
3. Prewash sweater to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
4. Wearing rubber gloves, fill a large container with 3 gallons of very hot water. The water should ideally be 140F. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
5. Add 1/2 cup of well-shaken Neon Green dye or color of choice into dyebath.
6. To enhance the color, add one cup of salt. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent to help promote level dyeing. Stir well.
7. Test color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too dark, add more water.
8. Immerse sweater in dyebath. Stir slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are the most critical. Stirring helps to ensure an even color with no splotches.
9. Use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing to enhance the color and reduce bleeding. Follow package instructions.
10. Rinse sweater in cold water until rinse water begins to run clear.
11. Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and dry.