How to Use Rit Dye in Washing Machine: Top or Front Load

Did you know that you can use Rit Dye in a washing machine?

If you’ve tried your hand at dyeing fabric on the stove top, you know it can be quite messy, but we have a better solution, your washing machine!

As you know we are on a tight budget to transform this bedroom for Aiden into a Star Wars themed room.

And so that means reimagining many pieces in this room.

The drapery panels were in great condition, but they were just the wrong color.

With just $25 we were able to update the drapery panels and now they’re perfect for our room design.

In this comprehensive tutorial, we’ll walk you through the steps to dye fabric in a top or front loading washing machine.

From preparing fabric for dyeing, loading the machine correctly, adding Rit ColorStay Fixative and whether to add salt or vinegar, we have all the tips to help you achieve perfectly dyed fabric!

So get ready for your next project with this guide – let’s start dyeing!

And to see the final reveal of this room makeover on a $500 budget, click here.

Welcome to Week 6 of the ORC

Welcome to Week 6 of the One Room Challenge!

As a reminder you can easily navigate through each week of this room makeover, by clicking on the links below.

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 you are here! | Week 7 | Week 8

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And don’t forget on the One Room Challenge website, you’ll find lots of ideas for updating any space in your home.

Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to use Rit Dye in a washing machine, we want to first answer the most common questions about dyeing fabric.

What Fabrics Work Best with Rit Dye

When it comes to dyeing fabric in your washing machine, washable natural fabrics work best.

Cotton, linen, ramie, wool, silk and hemp all work with Rit All-Purpose Dye.

You can also use Rit dye on washable synthetic fabrics containing nylon, rayon and viscose.

Even washable fabrics containing cotton synthetic blends can be dyed like polyester cotton blends that contain less than 35% polyester.

Did you know you can also dye fabric shoes such as canvas sneakers and shoes made of silk?

Always check the care label of your fabric before dyeing, as some fabrics may not be suitable for dyeing.

If you’re unsure, it’s best to test the fabric with a swatch before dyeing an entire garment.

That way, you can achieve beautiful results without any surprises!

However if you’d like to dye synthetic fibers you can use Rit Dyemore for synthetics.

This fabric dye can be used on polyester, acetate and acrylic.

It can also be used on cotton polyester blends that contain more than 35% polyester.

Rit all-purpose dye can also be used to dye non-fabric items such as wood, wicker, corn husks, foxtails, pinecones, thistle, paper, clay, cement, sand and seashells.

You can even dye dry foods such as dry beans, macaroni, eggshells and seeds for crafting purposes.

Rit dye will not dye metallic fibers, spandex, fiberglass and fabric with rubber backing.

In addition, you can not dye fabrics that are labeled only washable in cold water or fabrics with a waterproof or stain resistant finish.

Do You Use Rit dye in Hot or Cold Water?

Using Rit Dye in hot water is the best way to get vibrant, long-lasting color.

This is because heat helps your fabrics absorb the dye more evenly and quickly.

When using a washing machine, it’s recommended to use the hottest possible setting.

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A fixative is a product designed to help lock in color and reduce fading.

Rit ColorStay Fixative, when added with your dye, will help keep colors vibrant and prevent them from washing out and fading.

It’s especially important for bright colors that may be more prone to fading.

To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing, before rinsing and washing.

When dyeing our drapery panels, we decided to add the fixative.

If you choose to add the fixative, you’ll want to use 4 ounces of fixative for every pound of fabric.

When to Add Salt or Vinegar When Dyeing Fabric

Adding salt or vinegar when dyeing fabric will increase the intensity of colors.

When dyeing natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, ramie, hemp and rayon add 1 cup of salt to the dye solution.

Dissolve 1 cup of salt in very hot water before adding the dye solution.

And for fabrics containing nylon, silk or wool, add 1 cup of vinegar to the dye solution.

The salt or vinegar will help lock in color and intensify its vibrancy.

Other Helpful Tips

When using Rit Dye in a washing machine, it’s important to check your fabric for any blemishes or stains before dyeing.

This will ensure that the dye will be evenly absorbed and the color won’t be compromised by pre-existing marks on your fabric.

It’s also important to be mindful of the amount of fabric you’re dyeing.

A good rule of thumb, for one bottle or two powder packages of Rit dye will cover 2 lbs. of fabric for an average depth of color.

If you want a more intense color double that amount!

To determine how much is needed, weigh your fabric first with a food scale – accuracy will help ensure uniformity as you create richly hued fabrics.

According to the Rit Dye website, you’ll also want to add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to the dyebath to help promote level dyeing.

Also fabric dye loves hot water because it loosens the fibers in the fabric to accept the dye. We recommend using the hottest water safe for your fabric.

Have we covered all your questions? If not, let us know, we’d love to hear from you

Supplies Needed to Dye Fabric

The supplies we used to dye our drapery panels include:

• Rit Dye (liquid or powder)
• Rit Dye ColorStay Dye Fixative
• dish detergent
• Salt (or vinegar is you’re dyeing nylon, silk or wool.)
• rubber gloves
• metal spoon (if using a top loading washing machine)

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How to Use Rit Dye in a Top Loading Washing Machine

Prewash Fabric

First you want to pre-wash your fabric in warm soapy water before dying.

This will remove any finishes or soil that may be on the fabric that may interfere with the dye absorption.

Remove the clean fabric from the washing machine.

Fill Washing Machine with Hot Water

At this time you’ll want to fill your washing machine tub with water using the hottest setting.

You’ll want enough water that your fabric will move freely in the tub.

Rit All-Purpose Dye

If you are using the Rit all-purpose powder dye you’ll need to dissolve it in hot water.

You’ll add 2 cups of very hot water to each package of powdered dye.

For the first panel we used the powdered Rit Dye, and liquid dye on the second panel with a front loading machine.

We dissolved 2 packages of dye in 4 cups of very hot water and used a whisk to make sure it was well mixed.

Now, pour the dissolved and mixed dye into the washing machine tub.

If you’re using the liquid Rit Dye, shake bottle and pour into the hot water.

Then add your clean wet fabric into the tub and stir with a large metal spoon.

Make sure you are wearing gloves when working with the dye or you’re hands will match your newly dyed fabric.

Add 1 cup salt, dissolved in 2 cups of hot water for every pound of dry fabric, to the dye bath if you are using natural fibers like cotton or linen.

However, if you are dyeing silk or nylon, you’ll add 1 cup of vinegar for every pound of dry fabric to the dye bath.

The last item you’ll want to add is 1 teaspoon of dish soap, this will help to ensure that the dye is distributed evenly through the fabric.

You’ll want your fabric to soak in the dyebath for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to an hour.

I let the fabric agitate for a few minutes to let the dye move around the fabric, but I also periodically paused the wash cycle and just let it soak.

When I paused the washing machine, I took a large spoon to make sure the fabric wasn’t tangled and was completely covered in the dyebath.

Remember to wear gloves for this process!

Adding ColorStay Fixative

Once the fabric was finished processing in the dyebath, select the drain and spin cycle, but do not rinse the dye out at this time.

Then remove the fabric from the wash tub.

We chose to use the ColorStay Dye Fixative because we are using black and want the darkest color possible.

The drapery panels will be hung on a south facing window and we want to minimize any fading.

Remember the fixative will intensify bright or dark colors as well as minimize fading.

First fill the washing machine tub set to the hottest setting.

Fill with enough water that your fabric will move freely.

Then choose a wash cycle that will last 20 minutes or longer.

Add the fixative to the hot water, 4 ounces for every pound of dry fabric.

Once the cycle is finished, wash your fabric in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

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No Fixative

If you choose not to use the fixative, wash your fabric in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

Clean Washing Machine

Are you hesitant to use dye in your washing machine?

We totally understand – no one wants a permanently pink or black appliance!

But, fear not, my friend – Rit dye won’t stain any metal component in your machine.

In fact, for decades people have been using Rit dye in washing machines.

However, if you have a front-loading washing machine, just be aware that dye may stain the plastic parts if not cleaned up immediately.

Don’t fret though – we’ve got you covered with our handy clean-up tips. Let’s dive in!

Once you’re finished dyeing the fabric, take a cloth and wipe around the lid and place a bit of liquid bleach into your dispenser if you have one, as dye can get into these areas.

Then, fill your washing machine to the highest water level and select the hottest water setting.

Finally add detergent and 2 cups of liquid chlorine bleach and wash 3 old towels in your machine.

That’s is, it will be good as new!

Prewash Fabric

First you want to pre-wash your fabric in warm soapy water before dying.

This will remove any finishes or soil that may be on the fabric that may interfere with the dye absorption.

With the wet fabric in the washing machine, you’re ready to start the dyeing process.

Add Dye to Washing Machine

The biggest difference between a front loading and top loading machine in this process is that you can’t open the door once the washing machine has started filling with water.

First you want to mix your dye (liquid or powdered) with 4 cups of very hot water.

You’ll also want to prepare your salt by dissolving it in 4 cups of hot water, for natural fabrics or vinegar for synthetic or silk fabric in 2-4 cups of hot water.

Once you’ve placed your wet fabric in the washing machine and closed the door, you’ll begin adding the Rit dye solution into the liquid detergent receptacle.

Then start your wash cycle that’s at least 30 minutes long, or up to 60 minutes.

Remove the detergent cup and begin pouring in the dye solution into the detergent tray, followed with the salt or vinegar solution and finally 1 teaspoon of dish detergent.

Let the machine agitate for at least 30 minutes or longer, up to 60 minutes.

One the cycle is finished, set to drain and spin, but not rinse if you plan to add the ColorStay Dye Fixative.

If you are not adding the fixative, select a rinse and spin cycle.

Then wash your fabric in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry your fabric.

Add ColorStay Fixative

To add the ColorStay Dye Fixative, first set your machine to fill with water to the hottest possible setting and a wash cycle that’s at least 20 minutes long.

Then start the cycle on your washing machine.

Add the ColorStay Dye Fixative into the detergent tray.

You’ll add 4 ounces for each pound of dry fabric.

Then once the cycle is complete, wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

Clean Front Loading Washing Machine

With a front-loading washing machine, just be aware that dye may stain the plastic parts if not cleaned up immediately.

Once you’re finished dyeing your fabric, take a cloth and wipe around the door and gasket.

Then, fill your washing machine to the highest water level and select the hottest water setting.

Finally add detergent and 2 cups of liquid chlorine bleach in your dispenser and wash 3 old towels in your machine.

That’s it! Not bad at all!

Let’s Wrap it Up

Let’s take a look at the before and after of the drapery panels.

Dyeing the panels worked great! We were able to get a beautiful black color and still kept the white polka dots.

That’s because the dots were stenciled on and the paint didn’t absorb the dye.

So we were able to keep the design in the drapery.

Dyeing fabric in your washing machine with Rit Dye is an easy and effective way to bring a new lease of life not only to your favorite garments, but also to reimagine fabric elements in your home.

Did we cover it all? Do you still have questions?

Drop us a comment, we’d love to hear from you!

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For more ways to update ready made curtain panels take a look at these ideas.

• Stenciled Curtain Panels
• Embellished Curtain Panels
• DIY a Bay Window Curtain Rod
• Window Treatment Ideas on a Budget

Thanks for spending some time with us today, we hope you found a little inspiration.

Next week for the One Room Challenge, we’ll share how we transformed an old traditional nightstand into a modern floating nightstand.

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