3 Ways to Dye Curtains

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3 Ways to Dye Curtains
3 Ways to Dye Curtains

Video: 3 Ways to Dye Curtains

Video: 3 Ways to Dye Curtains
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Dyeing curtains can seem like a daunting project, but if you're up for a challenge, the results can be very satisfying. The trickiest part is choosing the right paint color and figuring out how much to use. After that, the rest of the process is pretty simple.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparations

Dye Curtains Step 1
Dye Curtains Step 1

Step 1. Make sure your curtains can be dyed

Most natural fabrics can be dyed without a problem, but many synthetic fabrics don't accept dye as easily. Before you start this project, you need to make sure that your curtains are made of a dyeable material.

  • Note that some paints may or may not be able to dye different types of materials, but most of them have the same abilities and limitations. However, you should check the label of the paint you plan to use to see if it can be used on your curtain fabric type.
  • Most paints will color cotton, linen, wool, silk and ramie. Certain synthetic fibers, such as artificial silk or nylon, can usually be dyed too.
  • Most inks will not dye fabrics composed of polyester, acrylic, acetate, fiberglass, spandex or metallic fibers. Discolored, waterproof or stain resistant fabrics and those only dry-cleaned are also off the list of possibilities.
Dye Curtains Step 2
Dye Curtains Step 2

Step 2. Prewash the curtains

Whether new or old, you should wash your curtains in a normal wash cycle before you dye them. Allow curtains to partially dry outdoors or use a dryer.

  • You can use soap, but not fabric softener.
  • This prewash step helps to remove any matter that could interfere with the fabric's absorption of ink. As a result, pre-washed curtains will absorb ink more evenly and accurately.
  • Curtains do not need to be completely dry, but they cannot be soaked either, as moisture in the curtains can cool down and negatively affect how the paint interacts with the material later.
Dye Curtains Step 3
Dye Curtains Step 3

Step 3. Choose the color

Determine the color you want to dye your curtains. Most of the time, all you have to do is know the hue you want and find the concentrated color that most closely matches the hue. You can change the tone – or how dark or light the color becomes – by leaving the curtains in the paint for a longer or shorter period.

Research before buying paint. Read reviews for each color considered and see some photos. Choosing the exact color can be tricky, but you can minimize the risk of choosing the wrong color by taking the time to check each option

Dye Curtains Step 4
Dye Curtains Step 4

Step 4. Consider removing the original color from the curtains

If your curtains are white, beige or pale, you will be able to dye them without any problems. However, if they are dark, you should use a bleach first.

  • Use a bleach instead of bleach, as the latter can make it difficult for the fabric to absorb the dye.
  • Dark fabric cannot be dyed a lighter color. You might even be able to dye a colored fabric if your paint has a dark hue, but the result will be a mixture of the paint color and the color already existing in the curtain. Since the results can be unpredictable, a safer option is to remove the original color completely.
  • To use the bleach:

    • Fill your washing machine with hot water and add three to four packages of bleach as the machine fills.
    • Place the pre-washed curtains, still damp, in the machine as soon as the cycle begins. Leave the curtains submerged for 10 to 30 minutes, or until the color is gone.
    • Centrifuge.
    • Wash the curtains again with soap. Use a complete wash and rinse cycle.
    • Clean the washer with hot soapy water before using it again to remove any bleach residue.
Dye Curtains Step 5
Dye Curtains Step 5

Step 5. Determine the amount of ink needed

The amount of ink can vary by brand, so always check brand specifications before making a decision. However, quantities are often comparable and based on weight.

  • Weigh your curtains to check the weight. The easiest way to do this is to weigh yourself first, and then weigh yourself again while holding the curtains. Subtract the difference to find the weight of the curtains.
  • As a general rule of thumb, you will need a box of powdered dye or ½ cup (125 ml) of liquid paint for every 450g of weight. You can use less ink if you want a lighter color. For a darker color, double this amount.

Part 2 of 3: Dyeing the Curtains

Dye Curtains Step 6
Dye Curtains Step 6

Step 1. Fill a large bucket with hot water

As a general rule, you can use 12 l of water for every 450 g of fabric. The water should be boiling when poured into the bucket.

  • Glass and stainless steel won't stain, but most plastics will stain.
  • If you are concerned about staining the bucket, line it with plastic before filling it with water.
  • This works best if you are using a single bucket. If you need to split the process into two buckets, however, make sure the amount of water and paint is exactly equal.
  • It is also possible to use the washing machine to dye the curtains. To do this, start by filling the machine with the hottest water possible. The rest of the process is the same.
Dye Curtains Step 7
Dye Curtains Step 7

Step 2. Prepare the ink

There are differences between powder paint and liquid paint, and there may be differences between brands. Check the ink instructions to determine the best way to prepare it.

  • Generally, to prepare liquid ink, you need to shake the ink bottle very well for a minute or more.
  • To prepare powder paint, dissolve one packet completely in 2 cups (500 ml) of very hot water.
Dye Curtains Step 8
Dye Curtains Step 8

Step 3. Mix the paint

Pour the prepared paint into the washing machine or bucket (whichever you prefer). Use a toothpick to stir the paint until you are sure the paint is all over the water.

Dye Curtains Step 9
Dye Curtains Step 9

Step 4. Wet the curtains

If the drapes are dry or cool to the touch, quickly dampen them in a sink or separate bucket filled with clean hot water.

Hot water helps activate the ink. The result will be as pure and even as possible if both the paint bath and the curtains are hot when you transfer the material into the paint

Dye Curtains Step 10
Dye Curtains Step 10

Step 5. Place the curtains in the paint bath

Place the curtains in the paint, completely submerging them in the water. Let it sit in the hot paint for 5 minutes.

Do not move or shake the curtains during this period. If using a washing machine, do not start any type of wash cycle

Dye Curtains Step 11
Dye Curtains Step 11

Step 6. Add salt or vinegar

After the 5 minutes has passed, add 1 cup (250 ml) of salt or white vinegar to the paint bath for every 12 l of water. You can also add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of liquid laundry detergent.

  • Salt and vinegar help to intensify the color. Use the salt with cotton, linen, ramie and artificial silk fabrics. Use vinegar for silk, wool and nylon.
  • Liquid soap allows the ink to move more freely through the water and penetrate the fabric fibers.
Dye Curtains Step 12
Dye Curtains Step 12

Step 7. Leave it moist for several hours

Once the additives are in the water, soak the curtains in the paint bath for approximately two hours.

  • This amount of time is standard if you want to produce the desired tone; however, you can leave the curtains for a longer or shorter time if you want a lighter or darker color respectively.
  • Periodically observe the drapes until you reach the desired shade. Be aware, however, that the final shade will be a little lighter than it appears while the drapes are damp.
  • Shake the curtains continuously. If you are dyeing the curtains in the machine, set the washer on the shake cycle and continue to shake the fabric at all times. If you are dyeing in a bucket, stir the fabric continuously using a wooden spatula or board.

Part 3 of 3: Fixing the ink

Dye Curtains Step 13
Dye Curtains Step 13

Step 1. Wash curtains in a warm water wash cycle

Remove the curtains from the paint bath and transfer them to your washing machine (if you're not already in it). Set the machine to a full cycle of hot water and set the rinse to warm water.

  • If your washing machine has a setting depending on how dirty the laundry is, set it to "very dirty laundry".
  • Do not spin the paint bath if you have dyed the curtains in the machine. Just run the machine using the water that is already in it.
Dye Curtains Step 14
Dye Curtains Step 14

Step 2. Set cycle to warm/cold

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of liquid soap and run the normal wash cycle with warm water and a cold rinse.

  • The first wash cycle should have removed all excess paint. The second cycle will help fix the ink.
  • Make sure the water comes out clean at the end of the cycle. When the water comes out clear, the ink is fixed and there is no risk of staining the material.
Dye Curtains Step 15
Dye Curtains Step 15

Step 3. Dry the curtains

Since the fabric of the curtains can be dried, the simplest and fastest way to dry them is to use a dryer on a low cycle until they are dry to the touch.

You can also hang the curtains on a clothesline. They should dry completely after a day or two, as long as the day is dry and sunny

Dye Curtains Step 16
Dye Curtains Step 16

Step 4. Clean the washer

At this point, most of the ink has been removed from the washing machine, but to avoid possible accidents, it is best to clean the washer by running one more cycle. Add a cap of liquid soap and set the machine to a warm water, cold rinse cycle.

Consider using some machine bleach in this step

Dye Curtains Step 17
Dye Curtains Step 17

Step 5. Hang the curtains

At this point, your curtains should be dyed and ready to be hung again.

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