Dyeing dipes.

[2much2luv]

Dumb question here...
Thinking I want to dye some of my own prefolds, what kind of dye am I to use and where do I get it? I suppose there is plain old fabric dye...Can I find it at Walmart? (all we have here) Is there a particular kind that is good for diapers or a kind to avoid?
Thanks ladies.
Beth

[4boybarians]

Dharma Trading Co. sells the dyes that many WAHMs use for dying diapers. They have instructions on their site and sell all the stuff you need. The process is really pretty simple and our fitteds that I dyed look great.

I'm pretty sure that I read that RIT dye is a big no-no for diapers. I don't know if Wal Mart sells any other kind of dye.

[jmreinke]

RIT dye is the wrong type of dye. Walmart sells Rainbow Rock tie dyeing kits that have the correct type of dye, but I don't know that it has enough dye for solid color diapers. You can learn the general process for dyeing with these kits and also tie dye a few of your prefolds if you want to.

I use the Procion MX dyes from Dharma, but I also can buy Prochemical dyes from my local fabric shop. The generic category of dye that you want to use are called "fiber reactive" dyes.

Hope that helps!

[2much2luv]

Hope that helps!

[Rising Sun]

Just to add to what others have said...

You really need fiber reactive dyes, and I use Dharma. They come in powder form, and you can get 3 main colors, then mix those to make other colors. The colors to get are Fuscia, Bright Yellow, and Peacock Blue. I buy those three and mix them to form other colors..... and can come up with some beautiful colors! You will want to purchase a bottle of Synthrapol while you are at it.

You wash your diapers really well, so the oils are off, then wash them in hot water with synthrapol, and rinse at least twice. Then dye, then wash in the synthrapol again.

To set the dye (dharma has the directions, just ask for the catalogue) you don't need to buy the soda ash fixer. Just go to walmart or a pool suppyly and grab a bottle of PH UP in a white bottle with a bright pink lid. Read the ingredients... it says Sodium Carbonate. This is soda ash, and is the same thing that you can buy from Dharma.

Oh, and I would love to see pictures! Dying is so much fun, and it's addictive! When I have a good dye bath going, I always throw other stuff in ..... "Hmmm, this shirt would look cuter a different color." :LOL

nak - Teri

[Trishy]

Moving this to Sewing and Crafts.