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sally · Joined: 02 Jul 2006 Posts: 148

I'm trying to wean myself off Dylon and onto acid dyes for those occasions where I can't use naturals. I have a vast amount of re-enactment wool to dye soon, and I'd normally stuff it into the machine with a box of Dylon and run a boilwash. Can I use the acid dyes the same way, shoving some vinegar in and some dye? Is there a way to be a bit more scientific about this.

I currently only have a starter set of three little pots of dye, so I'll probably have to buy in a bigger batch (is Kemtex the best place? Which one of their dyes do I want for this?) and any idea how much dye to use for a full load?

cledry yarner · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 176

Blimey sally - trust you Very Happy

I have no idea if you can use them in the machine - I'll ask on another group or at the guild. You could soak the fabric in a vinegar solution before you put it in the wash i think - I usually soak wool in the acid solution before adding dye so that should work ok in the machine.

Re buying in bulk I'd definitely go with kemtex - you can buy up to a kilo at a time I think and it definitely works out cheaper and more environmentally friendly re packaging etc.

HTH

Hmm - a quick google gives lots of results for using acid dyes in top loading machines but nothing about front loaders.

sally · Joined: 02 Jul 2006 Posts: 148

I use natural dyes in the washing machine from time to time so I'm game to just try it and see, its guesstimating the amount of dye and vinegar to use that is the current dilemma. I usually wash the wool first to remove any dressings on it, so a bit of vinegar in that wash may also be sensible to make sure its all nice and acidy

cledry yarner · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 176

I guess it depends on what colours you want. I use 1g of powder to 100g of fabric. I'm never particularly scientific about the vinegar - just a large glug in the pan or the soaking water. I think the important thing will be the temperature but you said you already do stuff on a boil wash so it should be fine.

Kemtex deliver really quickly so if your experiments are a success (which I have absolutely no doubt about, knowing you Wink

) you can get the extra dyes you need in no time.