Dyeing jeans is a great way to refresh a faded color. You can also dye a pair of white jeans with a bold and exciting color like lime green, purple or magenta. The traditional method uses a bucket or stove, but if you have a washing machine you may want to use it for an easier procedure!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Picking and Picking Up Jeans
Step 1. Choose blue jeans for a dark color or white for a light color
The dye is translucent, so the original color will be visible. This means that if you try to dye a pair of blue jeans pink, they will turn purple. Aside from that, you can still dye white jeans any color, including black and blue.
You can also use this technique to revitalize an old, faded pair of jeans. Just use a black or indigo dye
Step 2. Weigh the jeans on a scale to find out how much dye you need
Each dye is unique, so read the instructions on the package first to find out how much you should use. In most cases, you'll need half a cup (about 120ml) or half a bottle of dye for every 500g of dry fabric.
- In most cases, 1 (or half) bottle of fabric dye should be enough to dye a pair of jeans. However, if your jeans weigh more than 500g, get another pack.
- Powder tincture can work too, but you will need to dissolve it in a cup (240ml) of hot water first.
Step 3. Wash your jeans following the instructions on the label
You should do this regardless of whether they are new or old. Newly purchased jeans often feature a chemical coating that helps them look good on the store shelf. Unfortunately, this can also prevent the dye from adhering well. At the same time, used jeans also need to be washed; otherwise the dirt and oils on the leather will prevent the dye from setting.
- Wash your jeans following the instructions on the label. Most jeans can be machine washed, but some need to be hand washed.
- Pay attention to the water temperature. Most jeans require cold water, but some can withstand warm water as well.
Step 4. Squeeze the jeans to get rid of excess water, but don't dry them
Dyeing a wet fabric produces better results, as it absorbs the dye more evenly than a dry fabric. However, the jeans shouldn't be soaking wet, so squeeze them gently to get rid of excess water.
Part 2 of 3: Dye Jeans in a Bucket
Step 1. Protect your clothes, skin and work surface from possible stains
Cover the counter with a newspaper, plastic bag, or plastic-coated tablecloth. So wear an apron or clothes you don't mind ruining. Finally, put on a pair of plastic gloves.
- If you have nothing to cover your work surface with, try to work carefully. Have some bleach, denatured alcohol, or acetone on hand to remove any stains.
- The dye can have a very pungent smell, so open a window or turn on a fan.
- There is no need to prepare the dye if you are using a washing machine. Go directly to the next section of this article.
Step 2. Pour the tincture into a bucket filled with 7-11 liters of warm water
Fill a bucket with 7-11 liters of hot water (around 60 ° C). Then shake the bottle of dye and pour it into the water. Mix well using a wooden stick or spoon; make sure you no longer use this spoon for cooking.
- Depending on the weight of your jeans, use half to 1 bottle of dye, which is around 120 to 240ml.
- If you are using a powder dye, mix it first with 240ml of warm water.
- Use twice as much tint for darker colors. For example, instead of using half a bottle of black dye, use a whole pack.
- If your jeans weigh more than 500g, use more water and more dye.
Step 3. Add 1 cup (270g) of salt dissolved in 2 cups (480ml) of warm water
Fill a bowl with 2 cups (480 ml) of hot water; the exact temperature doesn't matter. Next add 1 cup (270g) of salt, then stir until the salt dissolves. Pour the solution into the bucket with the tincture.
- Double-check the instructions that came with the tincture. "Most" dyes require salt and liquid dish soap, but not all.
- This dose is for is 500g of tissue. For heavier jeans, double the amount of salt and water.
- While not absolutely necessary, it would be a good idea to add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of dish soap; it will help the dye to adhere better.
Step 4. Soak the jeans in the dye for 30-60 minutes, stirring often
Put the jeans in the water, then push them down with the wooden stick to make sure they are completely submerged. Let them soak for 30-60 minutes. Mix well every 10 minutes or so.
- If you are using the cooker method, make sure the water is still just below boiling point. Don't put out the fire.
- Mixing the jeans is important, otherwise the dye will be blotchy.
Step 5. Remove the jeans from the bucket and wring out the dye
If the color is still not dark enough, put the jeans back in the bucket and let them soak for another 30 minutes or so.
- Keep in mind that the jeans will appear lighter when dry.
- If you are dyeing your jeans for a longer time, always remember to mix them every 10 minutes or so. When done, remove them from the bucket and squeeze out the excess dye.
Step 6. Rinse the jeans until the water runs clear
Start with lukewarm water, then turn the temperature down as you rinse off the dye. Once the water is clear, rinse the jeans one last time with cold water. It would be easier to do this in a tub, but you can also use a bucket.
If you choose to use the bucket, change the water after soaking the jeans, then take them off and wring them out
Step 7. Wash your jeans using a mild detergent
Read the instructions on the label on the inside of the jeans to understand how you should wash them. Most jeans are machine washable, but some need to be hand washed. In most cases you will need to use cold water and a gentle cycle.
- Wash your jeans separately or together with similarly colored items. Even if you've rinsed your jeans until the water runs clear, they may still lose some dye.
- The dye may fade slightly during washing. If this worries you, turn the jeans inside out before washing them.
Step 8. Let the jeans dry
You can speed up the process in the dryer, but it's not recommended as it can damage your jeans. Alternatively, you can partially dry the jeans in the dryer, then hang them to finish air drying.
Do not leave jeans in the dryer for a full cycle. Instead, use a reduced cycle, which could last between 15 and 20 minutes
Part 3 of 3: Machine Dye Jeans
Step 1. Fill the washing machine with hot water
Set the washing machine to the cycle with the hottest water available. Turn on the machine and let it fill up. You don't have to wait for it to finish filling up before moving on to the next step.
- This method is not recommended if you are using a public laundry. The residue could ruin the next customer's laundry.
- A top-loading washing machine will work best, but you can also use a front-loading one. In this case, don't let it fill with water yet.
Step 2. Pour the dye into the washing machine compartment
Start with half a bottle of tincture, which equates to about half a cup (120ml). If you are dyeing dark jeans, use a full bottle.
- If your jeans weigh more than 500g, double the dose of dye.
- If you have a front-loading washer, pour the dye into the detergent drawer, then add 1 cup (240ml) of water to run it.
Step 3. Add 1 cup (270g) of salt to the water
Read the instructions on the tincture package first. Most brands require 1 cup (270g) of salt for every 500g of fabric. Some manufacturers, however, do not require salt.
- Mix the dye and salt with a wooden stick or run the washing machine for a few minutes.
- Some people also add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of dish soap to the dyeing process. This helps the dye adhere more evenly.
- If you have a front-loading washing machine, let it run for 10 minutes, then add 1 cup (270g) of salt dissolved in 1 liter of hot water to the detergent drawer. Rinse it with another quart of warm water.
Step 4. Put the jeans in the washer and run them for 1 full cycle
Put the jeans in the washing machine, making sure they are completely submerged, close it and run a cycle. Depending on the instructions on the label, use a normal cycle or one for delicate items.
- Do not change the water temperature, even if the label on the jeans says to wash them with cold water.
- Just one wash with hot water won't ruin your jeans. It's only when you wash them "every" time with hot water that they start to wear out.
Step 5. Run a second cold water rinse cycle, then take off your jeans
As soon as the wash is complete, run a second cycle, this time using cold water and the rinse only setting to remove excess dye.
Once the jeans are off, run a third cycle with the washing machine empty. This will remove residue and keep your next laundry clean
Step 6. Lay the jeans out to dry or hang them up
This is the safest way to dry them, as the dryer can damage them. If you are in a hurry, however, you can partially tumble dry them, then hang them until completely dry.
The time it takes for the jeans to partially dry depends on the power of the dryer. However, do not go beyond 15-20 minutes
Advice
- If you smear any dye, wipe it off promptly with a paper towel, then wipe the stain off with bleach. Denatured alcohol or acetone may also be fine.
- Regular fabric dyeing should work with most jeans, but keep in mind that topstitching may not dye if made from polyester. In this case, choose a suitable dye for polyester.
- Wash freshly dyed jeans alone or with similarly colored garments for the first 2-3 washes.
- To see if the jeans lose color, put them in the washing machine along with an old white garment (it can be a shirt or even a towel). If it comes out colored, the jeans are still losing color.
