Dyeing curtains can seem like a daunting task, but if you're not afraid of challenges, you can get very satisfying results. The hardest part is choosing the right color and figuring out how much to use. Once you've established that, the rest is pretty straightforward.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparations
Step 1. Make sure your curtains can be dyed
Most natural fabrics can be dyed without problems, but many synthetic fabrics do not absorb color easily. Before starting this operation you should make sure that the curtains are made of a material that can be dyed.
- Some dyes may or may not be able to dye different types of fabrics, but most have the same characteristics and limitations. Either way, you need to check the instructions for the dye you want to use to make sure it can dye your fabric.
- Most dyes work with cotton, linen, wool, silk and ramie, and often some synthetic fabrics like rayon and nylon as well.
- Most dyes do not work with fabrics that are composed primarily of polyester, acrylic, acetate, fiberglass, spandex, or metallic fibers. Likewise, it usually does not work with bleached, waterproof, stain resistant and dry clean only fabrics.
Step 2. Pre-wash the curtains
Regardless of whether they are new or not, you should give your curtains a standard wash cycle before dyeing them. Let them dry partially in the air or in the dryer.
- You should use detergent, but not fabric softener.
- This pre-wash helps remove dirt and blemishes that could interfere with the fabric's color absorption. Pre-washed curtains will absorb the dye evenly and accurately.
- Curtains should not be completely dry, but neither should they be waterlogged, as excessive moisture could cool the fabric too much and negatively interfere with color absorption.
Step 3. Choose the color
Decide which color you want to dye your curtains. Basically you have to choose the shade you want to achieve and find the concentrated color that comes closest. You can act on the intensity of the color by leaving the curtains immersed in the dye for a shorter or longer period.
Find out before buying the color. Read the reviews for each color you considered, and look at the pictures. It can be difficult to make the right choice, but you can minimize the risk of choosing the wrong color by trying to inform yourself as much as possible
Step 4. Consider removing the previous color from the curtains
If your curtains are white, whitish, or very light in color, you should be able to dye them without any problems. However, if your curtains are a darker or brighter color, you should first use a fabric bleach.
- Use a fabric bleach rather than bleach, as it may make it more difficult for the color to absorb.
- A dark fabric cannot be dyed a light color. You may be able to dye a colored fabric if your dye is a dark shade, but the end result will be a mix of the original color and the dye color. Since the result is unpredictable, it is safer to completely remove the original color.
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To use the bleach:
- Fill the washing machine with hot water and add three or four sachets of bleach as the drum fills.
- Put the pre-washed and still damp curtains in the washing machine when the wash cycle begins. Leave them to soak for 10-30 minutes, or until the color has completely disappeared.
- Empty the washing machine.
- Wash the curtains again with detergent. Do a full wash and rinse cycle.
- Clean the washing machine with hot water and detergent before using it again to remove all traces of the bleach.
Dye Curtains Step 5 Step 5. Determine the amount of tint you need
Doses may vary by brand, so always check the instructions before deciding. Doses are usually based on weight, and are often very similar.
- Weigh the curtains to determine their exact weight. The easiest way to do this is to weigh yourself and re-weigh yourself later by holding the curtains in your hand. Make the difference between the two measurements and you will get the weight of the curtains.
- As a general rule you will need one pack of dye powder or 125ml of liquid dye per 450g of weight. If you want a lighter shade you can use less tint, while for a darker shade you should double the dose.
Part 2 of 3: Dyeing the Curtains
Dye Curtains Step 6 Step 1. Fill a tub or basin with warm water
As a general rule, you should use 12 liters of water for every 450 grams of fabric. The water must be boiling when you pour it.
- The glass and stainless steel will not be stained by the tint, but the plastic will.
- If you are concerned about staining the bowl, line it with plastic sheets before pouring in the water.
- This procedure works best if you only use one bowl. If you have to divide the process into two pans, make sure the amount of water and dye in each is the same.
- Alternatively, you can also use the washing machine to dye the curtains. To do this you must first fill the basket with boiling water, and follow the next steps.
Dye Curtains Step 7 Step 2. Prepare the tint
There are differences between liquid and powder colors, and there may also be some between different brands. Check the instructions for the color you have chosen to know the best way to prepare it.
- You usually need to make the liquid dye by shaking the bottle vigorously for about a minute.
- To prepare the dye powder, you have to completely dissolve a sachet in 500 ml of boiling water.
Dye Curtains Step 8 Step 3. Mix the dye
Pour the dye you've prepared into the basin or washing machine (depending on the method you've chosen). Use a paint stick or board to mix the dye until it is well dissolved in the water.
Dye Curtains Step 9 Step 4. Wet the curtains
If the curtains are dry or cold to the touch, quickly dip them into the sink or other basin containing hot water.
Hot water helps activate the tint. The result will be better if the curtains and the dye bath are both hot
Dye Curtains Step 10 Step 5. Place the curtains in the dye bath
Completely submerge the curtains in the dye bath, so that they are entirely below the surface of the water. Let them rest for about 5 minutes.
You don't have to mix for now. If you use the washing machine, do not start any washing cycle
Dye Curtains Step 11 Step 6. Add salt or vinegar
After 5 minutes, add one cup (250ml) of salt or white vinegar to the dye bath for every 12 liters of water. You should also add 15ml of liquid detergent.
- Salt and vinegar help to make the color more intense. Use salt for cotton, linen, ramie, and rayon. Instead, use vinegar for silk, wool, and nylon.
- The liquid detergent helps the dye to move more easily in the water, and to better penetrate the fibers of the fabric.
Dye Curtains Step 12 Step 7. Soak for several hours
Once the additives are in the water, let the curtains soak in the dye bath for about two hours.
- This is a standard time to obtain the precise color of the tint; however, if you want a darker or lighter shade, you can leave the curtains to soak for a longer or shorter time.
- Check the curtains periodically until you get the color of your choice. However, remember that the final shade will be slightly lighter once the curtains are dry.
- Constantly shuffle the curtains. If you use the washing machine, do a washing cycle with many laps. If you're using the basin, turn the curtains around using a board or paint stick.
Part 3 of 3: Fixing the Tint
Dye Curtains Step 13 Step 1. Have the curtains run a normal hot wash
Remove the curtains from the dye bath and put them in the washing machine (if they weren't already inside). Do a full wash cycle with hot water and a rinse cycle with warm water.
- If possible, set the soiling level to "high".
- If you used the washing machine to make the dye, you can also use the same water for washing.
Dye Curtains Step 14 Step 2. Do a warm / cold wash cycle
Add 15 or 30ml of liquid detergent and run a normal wash cycle with hot water, and a rinse cycle with cold water.
- The first wash cycle is used to drain the excess dye, while the second is used to fix the color.
- Make sure the water is clean at the end of the wash. When the water is clear, it means that the color has set and should no longer fade.
Dye Curtains Step 15 Step 3. Dry the curtains
If the curtains allow it, you can put them in the dryer to dry them quickly, be sure to use the gentlest cycle.
Alternatively, you can spread them out and let them air dry. It should take a day or two, as long as the weather is dry and sunny
Dye Curtains Step 16 Step 4. Clean the washing machine
At this point most of the dye should have been drained from the washing machine, but it may be a good idea to do an additional wash cycle to be safe. Add some liquid detergent and run a hot wash cycle with a cold water rinse.
You can also add some bleach to the washing machine for this step
Dye Curtains Step 17 Step 5. Hang the curtains
At this point the curtains should be dyed and ready to hang in place.
