Can you pour Rit dye down sink

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 17:26:36 GMT

Update 8/23: 
I just finished the first drop cloth - it turned out great! Very even, no streaks or splotches, and no problems at all. Washer is fine. I'm very happy with the result, as it definitely hides the staining. The brown isn't quite as pretty as the canvas color for curtains, but much more practical for outdoors. I put it through three agitation cycles, let it soak for about 10 minutes in between the second and third, and then did two rinses and then a wash with some detergent, as instructed by the Rit site, so that makes for a total of 4 rinses. The water was clear by the final rinse so that seemed to work well. I am using salt, just because I figured it couldn't hurt and is supposed to be particularly helpful on cotton.

I still have 6 to go so hopefully I'm not jinxing myself too much, but I think I've got the process down. I'm already thinking of other stuff I could dye!!

Original Post:

Tell me your experiences, successes, failures, and tips for using Rit Dye. I've used it several years ago to dye a load of towels, and it did a nice job, but I overflowed the washer on the rinse cycle somehow. User error, I'm sure.

So now, why I don't I tackle an even more questionable project?! WHAT COULD GO WRONG? I've got 7 cotton drop clothes/tarps that we use as outdoor curtains on our screened patio. They work great and were immensely more affordable than outdoor fabric or any other option. Except they get mildewed when it rains. I'm better now about opening them up if it has rained a lot to let them dry out, and washing them more often, but they have stains from the first year they were hung up. Also since they hang close to the ground (inside the patio but still), dirt splashes, dust/dirt is kicked up while mowing etc. They just get dirty and it really shows on the light cotton.

So I'm going to dye them brown. I've done the math and while 2 bottles per drop cloth is just a little shy of what is recommended, I think it will turn out to a color I'm happy with. I do NOT need them to be perfect and I'm okay if they are slightly different colors or a little splotchy.

I've read about adding salt to help the color take, and that putting the item in wet makes the dye take more evenly. I have a top load traditional washer (Speed Queen FTW) and am planning to do them one at a time in there. I'll run the washer about a million times and clean it out afterwards before putting clothes in.

Let's hear your disaster - or triumph - stories!

Post by scrappingirl212 on Aug 17, 2016 17:33:03 GMT

I'll be watching this thread since I have my own project in the planning stages. I read on the directions to add salt if dying light colors and vinegar if dying dark?

Post by TheOtherMeg on Aug 17, 2016 17:36:15 GMT

Good luck, AN! Please update when you're done. I'd love to hear any tips (or warnings!) you learned.

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 17:47:34 GMT

This sounds like a DIY nightmare. I'd be buying new curtains!

That was considered. However, buying new drop cloths wouldn't really fix the problem, since they'd get the same issue unless I somehow treated them (NeverWet? That sounds awful too). And this is an very large amount of space that needs to be covered - the patio is 9' tall and it is 63 linear feat that I need to cover. Outdoor fabric is extremely expensive, plus I'd have to sew some panels together or at least hem the fabric. Just the fabric alone would likely be over $500, and that's if I found a killer deal. I was able to buy all the drop cloths for around $100! 

Post by knit.pea on Aug 17, 2016 17:48:15 GMT

Brave!

Are they 100% cotton or do they have a coating on them (like a tarp would)?
My question is will they absorb water.

I have washed items in the washer that are water-resistant, and instead
of absorbing ... all the water flies around the washer and outside of it.
(I have to add cotton towels when I wash water-resistant things.)

Can you dye them in a big Rubbermaid tote bin instead?

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 17:53:46 GMT

Brave!

Are they 100% cotton or do they have a coating on them (like a tarp would)?
My question is will they absorb water.

I have washed items in the washer that are water-resistant, and instead
of absorbing ... all the water flies around the washer and outside of it.
(I have to add cotton towels when I wash water-resistant things.)

Can you dye them in a big Rubbermaid tote bin instead?

They are 100% cotton and have been washed multiple times, definitely absorb water and no sizing left on them. I thought about buying a big plastic garbage can to dye them in, but then I was wondering: 
1) How would I get hot water in the garbage bin? (Boil some pots and add it, and wait for a hot day to leave the hose out? Regular tap water is pretty warm here if it's a hot day.) 
2) How long do I have to stand there with a broom or some long handled-device and stir those suckers? 
3) How am I going to EMPTY and rinse the dye??? Probably shouldn't just pour it out into my yard, and even if that wasn't an environmental concern, I can see that running off onto our driveway or something and I now have a driveway that looks like someone diarrhea'd all over it. And then I have to somehow wash the dyed curtains.

The curtains are about 45 lbs altogether and fill up two large laundry baskets, when crammed in. My washer can handle two tarps at a time when washing regularly, so I figured doing one tarp at a time to dye would give it room to move and not totally fill the washer up.

Post by MerryMom on Aug 17, 2016 17:55:22 GMT

I don't dye things in the washer and for that big of a load, I would be concerned about overflow. Plus pulling the soppy tarp curtains with active bleach is going to make a mess of your laundry room.

I would wet the tarp curtains first (not just damp, but wet) and then stir up your dye in a rubbermaid tote or one of the big cheap plastic bins like you put pop or bottled water on ice in. You need enough room for all of your tarp curtains to be completely submerged with all the liquid in it (displacement theory).

I use more boxes of dye than what the box says to use especially when dyeing a darker color, slowly add the items and keep poking the fabric down with a stick in order to eliminate air bubbles. Keep swishing the fabric around every 5 minutes or so.

I would leave it in the dye for twice as long as what the box says, again with a darker color, the longer the better.

Maybe enough add a box or two of black Rit dye to make sure it is dark enough.

Since these tarp curtains weigh about 45 pounds, I would do this in batches. You might have a slight variation in color, but it will probably be noticeable only to you.

Add the hot water to the container or trash can that you use.

Rit dye is septic system safe, and I have dumped Rit dye in my yard before, I did it on a slightly sloped area and then I diluted the grass area down with the hose for several minutes.

It will dye your driveway so I wouldn't dump it on your driveway, it will drain into your yard anyway.

Oh and wear clothes that you don't care about or wear all black.

Wear gloves.

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 17:55:25 GMT

I am considering dying a linen dress that has faded a bit. I've never used Rit dye though, so I'm a bit nervous.

I wouldn't be nervous doing it on a small item at all!! Get out a bucket and go to town. The towels I did a few years ago was maybe 3 or 4 large towels and 8 hand towels? If I hadn't messed with the settings on the washer to try to do an extra rinse (or some other brilliant idea I had) I think it would have been fine. 

Post by blue tulip on Aug 17, 2016 17:58:25 GMT

I've dyed a lot of things with Rit, but not dropcloths. I do wonder if they will absorb the dye fully, as the fibers are slightly coated a bit with something it seemed. I actually made drop cloth curtains for an outdoor gazebo a couple years ago, so I know exactly what you're talking about with the mildew and dirt!

I think you're helped by the fact that they've been washed a bunch already, hopefully that opened up the fiber's cuticle a bit. definitely use a bunch of salt and hot water, and let it agitate for.ever (keep resetting your machine, then I'd even stop it and let it sit for a while on top of that). it might be worth it to try a test in a corner first, but then I never really do that I just commit 100% and see what happens lol.

I would split up the loads into 2, with 7 drop cloths there won't be enough room for the dye to agitate really well.

if you had a tub to do it in, that would be better because you can control exactly how much water you put in it so the dye isn't too diluted. but then you have to agitate by hand, blah. something to think about if the first load doesn't turn out tho.

I only run my washer 1 cycle after a dye and I've never had any leftover dye affect clothing. I usually wash a load of towels first just to see. but it's really not this horrific "I need to wash cycle a million times!!" thing in my experience.

good luck! if all else fails, you should be able to bleach out the stains and you could buy a small amount of dark outdoor fabric to make a stripe on the bottom to cover/hide where it gets dirtiest. also scotch guard the heck out of it when you do get to the color you like, that helps a lot.

ETA: oh, you could spray paint the bottom too if you had to! I made an outdoor rug with a stencil and spray paint, and there are tutorials for painted, patterned drop cloths that would be even easier than the indoor/outdoor rug I used.  

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 17:58:33 GMT

I don't dye things in the washer and for that big of a load, I would be concerned about overflow.

I would wet the tarp curtains first (not just damp, but wet) and then stir up your dye in a rubbermaid tote or one of the big cheap plastic bins like you put pop or bottled water on ice in. You need enough room for all of your tarp curtains to be completely submerged with all the liquid in it (displacement theory).

I use more boxes of dye than what the box says to use especially when dyeing a darker color, slowly add the items and keep poking the fabric down with a stick in order to eliminate air bubbles. Keep swishing the fabric around every 5 minutes or so.

I would leave it in the dye for twice as long as what the box says, again with a darker color, the longer the better.

Maybe enough add a box or two of black Rit dye? to make sure it is dark enough.

Awesome tips, thanks!! I could probably do one or maybe two tarps at a time in a rubbermaid tote like that. Where would you suggest emptying the rubbermaid?? I have a big bathtub I could put down plastic in and then the tote, and dump it straight into the drain while running water. I just want to make sure I don't stain the tub. And then how do you rinse it out/wash it? Once you do the initial rinse in the tote, would you put it through the washer to wash it, just not for the dying process?

I did think about adding black, but I'm fine with anything darker than a light-dirt color, so I think two things of dark brown should be enough. I actually don't really want them completely dark brown, I'd like it lighter than the dark brown.

Post by elaine on Aug 17, 2016 18:00:44 GMT

Not for this time around, but if you dye them again next year, I'd use professional dye bought from someplace like Dharma Trading Company. You will get better and longer lasting results. I've done my share of dying yarn and tie dying cotton, and always use professional dyes now - learned the hard way.

This dye would be great! It is meant for items that are out in the sun.

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 18:01:34 GMT

I've dyed a lot of things with Rit, but not dropcloths. I do wonder if they will absorb the dye fully, as the fibers are slightly coated a bit with something it seemed. I actually made drop cloth curtains for an outdoor gazebo a couple years ago, so I know exactly what you're talking about with the mildew and dirt!

I think you're helped by the fact that they've been washed a bunch already, hopefully that opened up the fiber's cuticle a bit. definitely use a bunch of salt and hot water, and let it agitate for.ever (keep resetting your machine, then I'd even stop it and let it sit for a while on top of that). it might be worth it to try a test in a corner first, but then I never really do that I just commit 100% and see what happens lol.

I would split up the loads into 2, with 7 drop cloths there won't be enough room for the dye to agitate really well.

if you had a tub to do it in, that would be better because you can control exactly how much water you put in it so the dye isn't too diluted. but then you have to agitate by hand, blah. something to think about if the first load doesn't turn out tho.

I only run my washer 1 cycle after a dye and I've never had any leftover dye affect clothing. I usually wash a load of towels first just to see. but it's really not this horrific "I need to wash cycle a million times!!" thing in my experience.

good luck! if all else fails, you should be able to bleach out the stains and you could buy a small amount of dark outdoor fabric to make a stripe on the bottom to cover/hide where it gets dirtiest. also scotch guard the heck out of it when you do get to the color you like, that helps a lot.

This is great! And I feel like I super trust you, because look at your hair. I mean, how can I not trust you on dye topics???

I was planning to do one tarp at a time. And yeah, I'm with you on the committing 100%! I figure I'll do one and see how it turns out, and if I hate it then I spend $15 to buy a new tarp to replace that one. But even a mottled brown would be fine with me compared to the stained cloth.

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 18:04:09 GMT

Not for this time around, but if you dye them again next year, I'd use professional dye bought from someplace like Dharma Trading Company. You will get better and longer lasting results. I've done my share of dying yarn and tie dying cotton, and always use professional dyes now - learned the hard way.

This dye would be great! It is meant for items that are out in the sun.

I looked at Dharma Trading Company but with the soda ash and all the powder and instructions, I felt overwhelmed. I completely agree though they seem to be the way to go for professional level results.

I feel like I have low expectations for this project. My hopes are: 
- Make the curtains a color that distracts from any staining, even if it is uneven/mottled. The curtains are pulled back most of the time so really not very noticeable, and even a mottled dark color would look better than the light color with the gross stains when open now. 
- Do not turn my floor/walls/baseboard/hands/washer/yard/driveway/neighborhood brown in the process.

Post by femalebusiness on Aug 17, 2016 18:05:00 GMT

I LOVE Rit dye. Go for it. Just make certain the the pieces you are going to dye are clean and wet (with hot/warm water) before you put them in the dye bath. If you are using your washing machine fill the machine with hot water, add the dye by slowly pouring it in the machine while agitating. This keeps the dye from landing in a glob. Agitate after adding the dye to make sure it is well mixed, then add fabric.

Also when draining the dye water I spin about 3/4 of of it out then refill, then spin about 3/4 of that out and refill, then about the third time I spin and rinse. If you spin and rinse the dye bath the first time you may get streaks. I'm not explaining that very well but you want to ease the fabric into a rinse.

I have added salt at times and find that it does nothing. I skip it now days.

I once dyed a black load not realizing that my plumbing was backed up. It all came up in the shower of the guest bathroom, overflowed and I had a two inch rim of black dye around the bathroom floor. It wasn't a horrible experience because I got a bathroom remodel out if the deal. 

Good luck!

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 18:05:26 GMT

oh good grief....you guys aren't nearly as adventurous as i am

just do the first one and see what happens

run an empty bleach wash when you are finished

i think it will turn out just fine

carpe diem

gina

LOL, I love it. That's pretty much what I did when I ordered the dye. I was like "I'm sick of thinking about the best way to do this, Amazon please two-day me the amount of dye I maybe need in the color I maybe like."

I think I'll go wash my regular laundry first though. In case this turns into a week long project, haha.

Post by elaine on Aug 17, 2016 18:05:42 GMT

Not for this time around, but if you dye them again next year, I'd use professional dye bought from someplace like Dharma Trading Company. You will get better and longer lasting results. I've done my share of dying yarn and tie dying cotton, and always use professional dyes now - learned the hard way.

This dye would be great! It is meant for items that are out in the sun.

I looked at Dharma Trading Company but with the soda ash and all the powder and instructions, I felt overwhelmed. I completely agree though they seem to be the way to go for professional level results.

I feel like I have low expectations for this project. My hopes are: 
- Make the curtains a color that distracts from any staining, even if it is uneven/mottled. The curtains are pulled back most of the time so really not very noticeable, and even a mottled dark color would look better than the light color with the gross stains when open now. 
- Do not turn my floor/walls/baseboard/hands/washer/yard/driveway/neighborhood brown in the process.

I think that those expectations are completely reasonable!

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 18:06:58 GMT

I once dyed a black load not realizing that my plumbing was backed up. It all came up in the shower of the guest bathroom, overflowed and I had a two inch rim of black dye around the bathroom floor. It wasn't a horrible experience because I got a bathroom remodel out if the deal. 

Good luck!

This is my favorite horror story. I am definitely going to be monitoring the other bathrooms because I do not think DH would be as thrilled about the idea of a bathroom remodel (especially because I mentioned maybe remodeling the bathroom in a few years just the other night, and this would seem a bit too convenient!).

Thanks for the tips.

Post by blue tulip on Aug 17, 2016 18:07:10 GMT

This is great! And I feel like I super trust you, because look at your hair. I mean, how can I not trust you on dye topics???

I was planning to do one tarp at a time. And yeah, I'm with you on the committing 100%! I figure I'll do one and see how it turns out, and if I hate it then I spend $15 to buy a new tarp to replace that one. But even a mottled brown would be fine with me compared to the stained cloth.

lmao.

did you get your drop cloths at home depot? as far as I know, they are the only ones who sell them all in one large fabric piece. lowe's, menard's and Ace all have a seam thru them.

Post by MerryMom on Aug 17, 2016 18:13:39 GMT

I don't dye things in the washer and for that big of a load, I would be concerned about overflow.

I would wet the tarp curtains first (not just damp, but wet) and then stir up your dye in a rubbermaid tote or one of the big cheap plastic bins like you put pop or bottled water on ice in. You need enough room for all of your tarp curtains to be completely submerged with all the liquid in it (displacement theory).

I use more boxes of dye than what the box says to use especially when dyeing a darker color, slowly add the items and keep poking the fabric down with a stick in order to eliminate air bubbles. Keep swishing the fabric around every 5 minutes or so.

I would leave it in the dye for twice as long as what the box says, again with a darker color, the longer the better.

Maybe enough add a box or two of black Rit dye? to make sure it is dark enough.

Awesome tips, thanks!! I could probably do one or maybe two tarps at a time in a rubbermaid tote like that. Where would you suggest emptying the rubbermaid?? I have a big bathtub I could put down plastic in and then the tote, and dump it straight into the drain while running water. I just want to make sure I don't stain the tub. And then how do you rinse it out/wash it? Once you do the initial rinse in the tote, would you put it through the washer to wash it, just not for the dying process?

I did think about adding black, but I'm fine with anything darker than a light-dirt color, so I think two things of dark brown should be enough. I actually don't really want them completely dark brown, I'd like it lighter than the dark brown.

You should do a fresh batch of dye for each group of tarp curtains that you are doing. Your tarp curtains should be fresh washed and I wouldn't even dry them, just take them out for the dye.

I would do all the dyeing outside, and then dump the dye out after each batch. Then run my garden hose over the dye to dilute it down. I would move to a different area for each batch.

The hot/warm water is key. I would fill up half the amount of water from my garden hose and then add boiling or near boiling water for the rest of the amount. That should give you enough hot water for the dye.

I would set up an "assembly line" version of the dyeing.

Wash two tarps, light spin

While tarps are on light spin, boil your water, set up tote outside, add your cold water, then hot water, add dye, salt, whatever.

Let the items dye for the recommended time. While they are dyeing, wash another two tarps,

Dump out your dye and tarps, put the freshly dyed tarps to the side in another rubbermaid tote and rinse with clean water, hand squeeze out the excess.

keep repeating until all your tarps are washed and dyed.

Then run your tarps through a light rinse and spin cycle and then dry.

This is an all day project.

Alternatively, you can take all your tarps to a laundromat and use the heavy duty industrial size washers and do your tarps in two loads.

Do not dry, take them home and start the dyeing cycle and once you have dyed them, and given them a quick rinse outside, and squeeze the excess, then do a light rinse and spin cycle at home and then dry them as you go.

Afterwards, I would use clear spray sealer (Krylon) around the bottom of the tarp curtains on both sides, that gets messy.

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 18:14:18 GMT

This is great! And I feel like I super trust you, because look at your hair. I mean, how can I not trust you on dye topics???

I was planning to do one tarp at a time. And yeah, I'm with you on the committing 100%! I figure I'll do one and see how it turns out, and if I hate it then I spend $15 to buy a new tarp to replace that one. But even a mottled brown would be fine with me compared to the stained cloth.

lmao.

did you get your drop cloths at home depot? as far as I know, they are the only ones who sell them all in one large fabric piece. lowe's, menard's and Ace all have a seam thru them.

Harbor Freight. They do have a seam. And some of the seams run vertically and some run horizontally. And they were inconsistently sized. And then I made the mistake of putting them in the dryer when I washed them. Ironing 7 9'x12' canvas drop cloths was a nightmare.

I have them hung up with clips, so I was able to fold over at the top to get them all to hang to the same length, and they are open 98% of the time, so the seams aren't an issue visually. They are very utilitarian, blocking the intense Texas sun at certain times of the day, so for me I care more about looks when they are open. If these were indoor curtains I'd feel differently!  They are hung on electrical conduit (actually looks quite nice and the only affordable way to do those rods!) and I made tie backs that look like this: 

Post by ginacivey on Aug 17, 2016 18:18:03 GMT

i LOVE harbor freight

you never know what goodies you'll find

that outdoor dying sounds friggin tedious

i've dyed a cotton duvet in the washer and it worked out just fine

i mean if that many people have issues don't you think RIT would rework their directions?

maybe i'm too trusting

gina

Post by femalebusiness on Aug 17, 2016 18:20:35 GMT

...let it agitate for.ever (keep resetting your machine, then I'd even stop it and let it sit for a while on top of that). 

This.

I forgot to say that I agitate for a minute or two then turn it OFF for five minutes, then agitate again and turn it off for a few minutes. I do this for 30-40 minutes. If you don't stop the machine between agitating you run the risk of forgetting and it starts to drain. You lose the dye bath before it is finished..or at least I have done that.

ETA: I'd hang them to dry if you have a place to do that.

Post by AN on Aug 17, 2016 18:26:26 GMT

we expect before and after photos

now that we are all fully invested!!

gina

I'll get some pictures of the stained areas before I dye them. The curtains are already down. We had the patio rescreened/stained after a bad hail storm recently, so the curtains are down from that, which is what made me think "Ohhh, I should wash those. Ohhhh, last time I washed them, I said next time I take those down, I'm going to stain them."

These pics don't show the curtain setup that well but they're what I have on my phone.

Post by Clair on Aug 17, 2016 18:26:35 GMT

I'm would have no problem with using the dye in the washer. I'd just run a an clean cycle or two afterwards. Maybe use afresh or another washer cleaner.

But... I'd be concerned about fading once they were done. If they are pulled to the side most of the time you will have uneven fading.

I've bleached drop cloths before to try to lighten them and they didn't change much. Could you bleach them and then only worry about future dirt?