Anyone here used RIT dye before?

[hal]

Sodium carbonate???

I'm thinking that was it... but read up on it - I don't want to be responsible for any deaths...

[rgG]

I over dyed an old flat weave rug just a few weeks ago, for my daughter.
I was almost a disaster, but I was able to salvage it. It is definitely a one of a kind look.
You can also use vinegar, to help set the color.

[Paul F.]

A few years back, I was considering dying a wool blanket... ended up not doing it, but did a lot of internet research.
All I can remember from that was;
1 - clean first with something that gets any/all oils off the fibers.
2 - use something to set the dye... not a darn clue what that was (see Hal's post, might be it... )
3 - that first wash will bleed some, so wash dyed things separately that first time, followed by a load of work clothes or something you don't mind getting some of that same color on.

The "special considerations" for a wool blanket stopped me... too difficult for a novice. Every other fabric sounded straightforward.

[wowzer]

I made a muslin with it. It worked well...I never washed the muslin so I don't know if it is color fast.

[Thrift Store Scott]

Dennis S wrote:
I haven't heard of anyone using it since the 50's. I have the bright idea to dye my old dingy, Clorox-spotted, faded dish rags, hand towels, T-shirts, socks, etc. a dark color like navy blue. I have a couple of pretty large stainless pots I guess would be good to use.

• Does it work as advertised?

It does work as advertised.

Dennis S wrote:
• Is it color-fast, or does it fade?
• Do dyed clothes mess up other lighter-colored clothes that are washed with them?

It is at least as color-fast as any other fabric dye such as those used to color bolts of cloth at the fabric mills. Some fading is normal over time, but "setting" the dye with salt can help control fading and color transfer in the wash. Treat a newly-dyed article as you would a brand new article and wash it with similar colors the first few times and there should be no problem.

Dennis S wrote:
• Does it do a good job, or do the old stains and discolored areas show through?

It does a good job, but it can't perform miracles. How much the stains and discolored areas show through depends on how much contrast there is between them and the base color of the article being dyed as well as the nature of the stain. For heavily stained and/or discolored articles, a tie-dye approach to camouflage the problem areas might be the only effective solution.

[decocritter]

Don't do it. Just soak all of your whites in oxiclean. Might have to do it a couple of times. After you get them clean. Add a scoop when things look stained, but don't wait till horrible

[tenders]

Borax added to normal detergent in very hot water also works wonders on whites. Set your water heater extra-hot a few hours before you run the load, then turn it back down again. You'll be amazed.

Dying stained stuff will not give you the results you want. Lipstick on a pig, etc.