Dye Information - Types of Dye
Machine Dye
This is for use in a front loading automatic washing machine. By far the easiest product to use, and suitable for dyeing larger items such as towels, removable sofa covers, curtains, sheets and bedding.
Supplied in cartons containing 200g of dye powder. Colours can be mixed.
This product is NOT suitable for use in top loaders or American style washers as they use more water than front loaders and often do not heat up to the required dyeing temperature.
Colours shown below are approximate, as your computer display may affect the colours shown here, and the actual fabric weight and dye quantity will all affect the final result.
Hand Dye
Available in the same range of 24 colours as Machine Dye, but this is used in a bowl or sink. This is more involved, as you will have to measure out the correct amounts of water and salt, and stir the dye mixture regulary for 45 minutes. Normally used for smaller items which cannot be machine washed.
As with the Machine Dye, the water temperature required is 40C. Suitable for cotton, linen and viscose. Wool, silk, and mixed fibres will dye to a lighter shade. NOT suitable for nylon, polyester or acrylic, as these fibres do not absorb dye.
Supplied in 50g packs. Colours can be mixed. This product can also be used for tie-dye and other effects, including microwave dyeing.
Dye Salt
Both the Machine and Hand dyes require the addition of salt to open the pores of the fabric. This ensures the dye is absorbed correctly. While there is a Dye Salt product available, we do not sell this item, as the cost of postage is 4 times the price of the salt itself.
You can use any ordinary table salt, as found in your local supermarket or convenience store. Typically, you should be able to buy a 500g bag of salt for less than 30p - just get the cheapest economy brand.
Pre-Dye
This is used to remove colour from fabric before dyeing. Dye does not cover over other colours, so always remove dark or unwanted colours before dyeing. (Previously this product was called Colour Stripper).
Shoe Dyes and Colourants
The PUNCH range of leather dyes are available in two types. Suede dye is only for use on suede shoes or boots. The Leather dye can be used on leather or nubuck shoes/boots. These products will NOT cover other colours, but you can darken shoes with them. For example you can change brown shoes to black. Ideal for refreshing the colour of faded or worn shoes.
The Leather dye can be used on other leather items, but please note that the colour may transfer to other surfaces - therefore use on leather clothing or furniture is NOT recommended.
To change the colour completely (e.g. brown to white), the Lady Esquire range can be used. Available in twelve colours, and suitable for use on leather, synthetic, canvas, fabric or satin shoes. Can also be used on belts, bags and other accessories. This will cover other colours, but two coats may be required if changing from a dark colour to a light colour.
Fabric Paint
As the name suggests, this is painted on to the surface of the fabric. Intended for small areas, or to create decoration. This will cover other colours, however you may need to apply more than one coat in some instances (e.g. white over black). The paint is fixed with a hot iron, and is suitable for most types of fabric.
If painting light colours onto dark fabrics, improved results can be obtained by applying a layer of white paint first, fixing this using an iron, and then applying the desired colour over the top. Alternatively, four colours are available with a formulation specially designed for dark fabrics.
Note that the paint pens are NOT suitable for black or dark fabric.
We have three types of paint:
JARS: The jars of paint require the use of a brush, but can be used to cover larger areas with colour. Available in a range of solid colours and three metallic effect colours. The Red, Green, Yellow and Blue paints are also available in a high pigment version intended for dark or black fabrics. All of the colours can be mixed to create additional shades, and they will cover other colours.
BOTTLES: The squeezy bottles have a fine nozzle and are suited to drawing designs or fine lines. These also have a 3D effect, meaning that the paint stays as a raised line on the surface of the fabric. There are four types. Gloss dries to a shiny solid colour. Glitter contains small particles of glitter. Pearl dries to a semi-translucent pearlescent effect. Puff dries to a solid colour, but will 'puff up' when heated with a hair dryer or iron.
PENS: Paint pens are the easiest to use, these are just like normal pens only the results are permanent. Pens are suitable for white or light colour fabrics only, and they will NOT cover other colours. Example - using a red pen on yellow fabric will produce an orange result.
Colour Mixing
Most of the dyes can be mixed with others of the same type to create additional colours. Also bear in mind that the colour of the fabric will affect the result, and dye will not make anything lighter than it was to start with.
Common Colour Combinations
Red & Blue = Purple
Red & Yellow = Orange
Blue & Yellow = Green
Red & Green = Brown
Yellow & Green = Light Green
For the jars of fabric paint, adding white will make a lighter shade, and adding a small amount of black will make it darker.
Patterned fabrics
You can dye patterened fabrics, but the pattern will still be visible afterwards. It is likely that the dye will change the colour of the pattern as well as the fabric, which can lead to unpredictable results. For example, a red/white check pattern cotton fabric dyed with blue dye would probably result in a purple and blue check.
However, some printed patterns may not dye at all. If using patterned or coloured fabric, always dye a small test piece first.
Dyeing items with black dye
Using a black dye will almost always give a black result - black is the equivalent of all colours mixed together. The only possible issue is with mixed fibre fabrics, as some of the fibres might not pick up the black dye.
Things to be aware of when mixing dyes
Different colour dyes can be of different strengths. Therefore equal amounts of red and yellow will not always give the orange result you were expecting. Always experiment with a small amount of dye first.
Mixing different types of dye will give very unpredictable results. Not recommended at all.
Dylon Dye Instructions
To view, click on the links below, or right click to save as a file on your computer. These documents are in Adobe Reader format and can be viewed on screen or printed out.
Machine Dye
Hand Dye
Cold Water Dye (Discontinued)
Multipurpose Dye (Discontinued)
Pre-Dye (Previously called Colour Stripper)
Dylon Shoe and Accessories Colour (Product no longer available)
Dylon Suede, Leather and Nubuck Dyes (Product no longer available)
Instructions are also included with every pack of dye.
Dye Hints & Tips
- Dyeing coloured fabrics will result in the dye colour mixing with the original fabric colour. For example, using red dye on a yellow fabric will give an orange result.
- Fabric cannot be dyed to a lighter shade, for example if you use yellow dye on brown fabric you will still end up with brown.
- Dye does NOT cover patterns, but the dye will probably change the colour of the existing pattern. This can be unpredictable as some printed patterns do not pick up dye, and woven patterns might be made from different fibres.
- Some clothing may have polyester stitching. This will NOT dye at all, so the stitches will not match the fabric after dyeing.
- Natural fabrics such as cotton are the most suitable for dyeing as they pick up colour easily. Synthetic fabrics do not dye well, and some cannot be dyed at all.
Anything with special finishes or waterproofing is NOT suitable for dyeing.
- Dye does NOT damage washing machines. Dylon Machine Dye has been available for decades and is a 'tried and tested' product.
- Always read and follow the instructions - different dyes are used in different ways.
- Dyeing larger amounts of fabric than specified on the dye pack will give a lighter shade.
Other questions which people have asked
I have spilled bleach on my clothing. Can I...
The answer is no. Dyes do NOT cover over stains or bleach marks. Dyeing will probably change the colour of the bleached parts, but they will still be visible afterwards. If you have spilled bleach on something, it is ruined and can't be fixed with anything. Bleach can also damage the fibres of some fabrics. The moral of the story - keep bleach away from clothing.
I have some brown or blue shoes, Can these be dyed black?
Yes. The Black Leather Dye or Black Suede Dye is suitable.
Can I dye something white?
No, dyes are the addition of colour, it is not possible to dye anything white. The Pre-Dye is not suitable for this either, as although it removes colour, the results will be the natural fabric colour, which is not likely to be a bright white. Also note that the Pre-Dye may not completely remove certain green or blue colours.
Can I paint my sofa / chair / suede / velvet etc.
No. Fabric paint will destroy any surface finish such as suede, and is not intended for covering large areas.
What happened to that Dye for Denim product?
Dylon did make a Denim dye which was intended to restore denim jeans and suchlike items. However, it has not been manufactured since April 2007, and all of the stock we had was sold by June 2007. If anyone still has any, it is very old stock.
There was also a Dirty Denim product, but this was discontinued in 2004 (Mainly because the 'dirty denim' look went out of fashion and the product didn't sell).
Fabric Conditioner
Before using the Machine or Hand Dyes, the fabric must be washed to remove any dirt, stains or fabric dressings. Do NOT use fabric conditioner - this will significantly reduce the absorbency of the fabric, and will impair the dye process. (After dyeing, fabric conditioner can be used as normal)
If you currently use fabric conditioner when washing cotton towels, please stop! Towels washed in fabric conditioner are far less absorbent than those washed without, and most towel manufacturers suggest not using fabric conditioner. The same applies to flannels, bathroom mats, teatowels and washable doormats.
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