Making Your Dye Bath
Purchase dye made for dyeing synthetic fibers. Many companies manufacture different kinds of dye based on the fabric you will be coloring. For best results, choose a dye formulated for synthetic fabrics. Regular dye may not absorb into the synthetic fibers, or may result in patchy coloring. You can find synthetic dye in craft and fabric stores as well as online.
Protect yourself and your workspace. Dye can easily stain your skin and the surfaces in your home. To avoid this, lay plastic sheeting or several layers of newspaper over your workspace. Keep paper towels handy to clean up any drips or spills, and wear old clothes or an apron as well as rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Fill a bucket with hot water and the recommended amount of dye. Choose a bucket or basin large enough for the faux fur to fit loosely in. Read the directions on the package of dye to determine how much water and how much dye to use. Use the hottest water available from your faucet. Use a stainless steel spoon, dowel rod, or similar instrument to thoroughly combine the dye and water. Avoid using a porcelain sink or tub, as the dye may stain in. Opt for plastic or stainless steel, instead. Kristine Vejar Kristine Vejar, Textile Artist and Natural Dyeing Specialist Dyeing faux fur requires the right dye and method since synthetics absorb color differently than natural fibers. Use a dye made for synthetics that bonds to the plastic-based materials. Follow instructions carefully, especially on heat setting — too much can damage the fur. Test a small area first to ensure even color you like. With patience and attention to detail, your faux fur can have vibrant, lasting hues. The key is using products formulated for these tricky synthetics.
Add a pinch of salt to the basin to help the fur absorb the dye. Any kind of salt will do, and you only need a small amount, such as 1 tablespoon (15 mL). Stir it into the dye bath until it has dissolved completely.
Coloring Your Faux Fur
Soak the faux fur in hot water for 1 hour. In order to help the dye absorb into the fibers, you’ll need to wet the fur before dyeing it. Submerge it in a tub, sink, bucket, or basin full of the hottest water available from your faucet for 1 hour to ensure all the fibers are thoroughly soaked. Then, remove the fur and wring out the excess water.
Submerge the fur in the dye bath. Carefully place the faux fur in the basin or bucket filled with water and dye. Make sure that all parts of the fur are completely submerged in the dye bath.
Allow it to soak for up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Stir the dye bath and flip the fur over every 15 to 30 minutes to ensure the fabric evenly absorbs the color. When you flip the fur, check the color to see if you’ve reached the desired shade. Keep in mind the color will fade a bit when rinsed and dried, so allow it to soak until it is a shade or two darker than you want.
Rinsing and Drying Your Faux Fur
Remove the fur from the dye bath. Make sure to keep your rubber gloves on to protect your skin from becoming stained. Carefully take the fur out of the dye bath, then hold it over the bucket or basin for a few minutes to allow for dripping. Then, transfer the fur to a stainless steel sink or move it outside so you can use the hose to rinse it.
Rinse the fur with cool water until the water runs clear. To remove excess dye from the fur, rinse it under cool, running water until no more dye comes off the fabric. Wring out the excess water.
Allow the fur to air dry. Hang the fur up to dry, like over a shower rod using a sturdy hanger or outdoors on a clothesline. Take care to place plastic sheeting or newspaper underneath it if drying it indoors.
Clean up your workspace. It’s important to wash your bucket or basin as soon as possible. Use mild dish soap and a sponge or rag that you don’t mind throwing away to scrub the bucket and stir stick.
Set the color in the clothes dryer. Once the fur has air dried, transfer it to the clothes dryer. Ensure no other clothing items are in the dryer, even though the dye shouldn’t transfer to other items if it was rinsed thoroughly. Use a medium heat setting and run the dryer through one complete cycle. The heat will set the dye and prevent it from rubbing off. Read the care tag to ensure the fabric can go in the dryer first!
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