[redpajama]

Hi There,
I want to dye some prefolds and am looking for some advice. I'm looking at these dyes from Dharma Trading Co., and am wondering, first of all, if someone knows how far 2 oz. of dye with go. Secondly, it says that other chemicals (soda ash fixative and "other chemicals") in order for them to work properly. Can anyone tell me just what these mysterious "other chemicals" are?

Any other tips are greatly appreciated, too--I may try to tie-dye a few, but I mostly just want to dye them in solid, vibrant colors.

Thanks!

 

[notjustmamie]

The one time I tie-dyed, we used soaked the shirts in soda ash and urea overnight, then spun them out in the washer.

The dye goes pretty far ... I can't remember exactly, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. Make sure you follow the mixing directions, though, to get the brightness of color that your looking for.

 

[SleeplessMommy]

The Dharma tie-dye kit should go pretty far for prefolds. Also order some synthropol for a post-wash.

 

[mariekitt24]

I'm going to use "dylon" dye instead, I think it will be more simple and other people seem to be happy with their results! people say not to use "Rit" because it bleeds a lot after dying, although some have used that and liked it too. As for what you are looking at using, I dont know about urea but I know that soda ash is also called "washing soda". (Its a main ingredient in making home made dishwasher detergent AND laundry detergent-I'm a big fan) and you can find washing soda in laundry isles, although it can be hard to find. I found mine at our military commissary but some people can find it at their local walmarts or grocery stores. It can also be found in pool supply stores-where it will be labeled soda ash. Otherwise I think if you go to arm and hammer online they will help locate a store in your area that sells their washing soda. But like I said, I'm just going to find some dylon in a fabric store because I dont want to overcomplicate things for just a few diapers.

 

[because]

I've been planning to dye some fitteds soon with Dharma stuff.

Does anyone have an opinion on the residue that might be left on diapers and whether it would irritate or be dangerous for Baby long-term?

 

[ma2maya]

Quote:

Originally Posted by because I've been planning to dye some fitteds soon with Dharma stuff. Does anyone have an opinion on the residue that might be left on diapers and whether it would irritate or be dangerous for Baby long-term?

If you are dyeing and rinsing properly there should be no residue. Fiber Reactive dyes become a part of the fiber on a molecular level so it is washfast and permanent.

As for dyeing aides like urea or other stuff they recommend, you don't need it for basic dyeing. Soda ash is all you need. You can get it at any pool supply store and the big box lumber stores(Lowes etc) sell it too under the name Ph-Up. Washing soda is an acceptable alternative but many brands put additives in it(detergents and brighteners) so avoid them if you can b/c they can interfere with the dye process.