Dye Advice?

[helwen]

Hey all,

I'm looking for dye for two different purposes. Any and all advice welcome.

(1) I have some napkins that have unremovable stains, which I am reasonably certain are cotton. I figure I can extend their lives by dyeing them a darker color. Should I just get some RIT dye or is there another company you would recommend?

(2) I usually just get linen in the colors I want, but have a few articles of clothing that are still in good, very wearable condition, just a bit faded. Recommendations for dyes for linen?

Many thanks, friends!

Comments

[hugh-mannity.livejournal.com]

Both linen and cotton are cellulose (plant) fiber, so they'll take the same dyes.

Dharma Trading has what you're looking for: http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/3246-AA.shtml

As does Cushings: http://www.wcushing.com/direct_dye_color_card.htm

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[oakmouse]

I've never dyed linen, but for cotton I like RIT. I have a tie-dyed handkerchief I dyed bright pink with RIT when I was in about 5th grade (ie 40+ years ago), and it's still a good solid pink in spite of many years of use and hundreds of washings.

Depending on what caused the stains, you can also use tea to dye cotton (and linen). My aunt Martha ended up tea-dyeing all of her tablecloths because so much tea got spilled on them. Well, except for the ones she hand washed in wine because of wine stains, but those were much later when us kids were grown up and I don't know how well the "dye" took, whereas I sat at (and helped dye and wash) the tea-dyed ones for decades and I know they kept their color well.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

I agree with both of the above: tea works well for similar colored staining, RIT is effective, but for the finest results Dharma and Cushings carry a variety of cellulose-friendly dyes which work very well.
Wine tends to go unpleasantly brown after a while, but if it does so evenly, no loss.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[ellid.livejournal.com]

If you want good dyes, check out the selection at Dharma Trading (www.dharmtrading.com). They have plenty to choose from, their prices are good, and their customer service is excellent.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)