? about dying pf's in washing machine...

[raversangel]

has anyone tried this? i did a search for dying prefolds and no one had mentioned it, and i wanted to see if it was possible or easy to do?

thanx!

[raversangel]

anyone?

[babynurse11]

Okay, I'm not terribly experienced with all of this, but I will give it a try My understanding, after hours of research, is that the preferred method of dying prefolds is vat dying, i.e. using a pot or tub of some sort to soak the prefolds in the dye solution. This seems to be what fiber-reactive dyes need. You can dye prefolds in a washer, using RIT dyes, but you will likely be dissapointed, as RIT dyes apparently wash out of all-cotton fabric. Fiber-reactive dyes are the best for all-cotton fabrics. Dharma Trading is the more popular source for fiber-reactive dyes, but you may be able to find Dylon Cold dyes or Rainbow Rock dyes locally. I know my Michaels carries Rainbow Rock dyes, in solid shades as well as tie-dye kits. Joannes also carries Rainbow Rock in tie-dye kits, and so does Walmart.

Hopefully, I was somewhat helpful to you

[Rowenta]

I was wondering this too, but dont' understand all the vat stuff or even what a vat is! lol
Can you just use Rit die in a pot on the stove?

[babynurse11]

Kristi, a vat is whatever large container you want to use. A large stockpot, a bucket, or whatever. They are useful because items that are dyed often need time to soak in the dye bath to get the best results, color-wise. Yes, Rit dyes can be used in a pot on the stove. However, you will likely only be frustrated using Rit dyes, if you are trying to dye cotton fabric, such as prefolds. The type of dyes in Rit dyes are really not meant for cotton fabrics; fiber-reactive dyes are.

[raversangel]

yeah, actually i was more concerned about the concentration to water ratio if you used the washing machine...b/c dylon has very specific ratio's and i wanted them to turn out bright...would it be better to get a bucket? (i have no clue where rit came from...i know not to use that stuff...yuck!)