Tie dyed prefolds?

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

Are they safe on babies skin? What about color bleeding? I would like to do this to some of my prefolds that are stained and just for fun...But i dont want to put any harsh chemicals on my babies skin. What are your thoughts and exp about dying prefolds?

[mommam]

Don't know, would love to read the answer too. Any natural homemade dyes we could try, like onion peels or such? Or do they just wash out with the heavy washing prefolds get?

Thanks for the good question!

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

ohhh..those purple onion peels would make a beautiful color...

[SkyMomma]

I tie-dyed some flat diapers (with drug store dye) to use as burpy cloths,etc. They've held up well (did them for Ds1 5 years ago ), despite repeated washings. Just faded a little. BUT, I wouldn't recommend using them as diapers. In my experience, (for over the counter type dye) the amonnia in urine releases the dye. I don't know how natural dyes would do.

[FiberLover]

As someone who dyes and works with a lot of fibers (wool and spinning and yarn) I can sort of answer.

Cotton, most prefolds are cotton, takes mordanting and a lot of "natural chemicals" to set natural dyes. IME, these also kind of stick around in the fabric, coming off a little bit here and there. I wouldn't really put these on my baby's bum.

If you don't mordant the fabric/fiber for natural dyes it will wash out VERY fast. 1-2 washes. The mordants and setting agents for natural dyes are usually some kind of natural metal based chemical agent though. So...uh, not really something I'd put on her tush again.

On the other hand, the commercial dyes might be an ok option...

Check dharma trading for supplies if you're interested.

http://www.dharmatrading.com/

They're pretty good for things like this .