How To Dye Curtains? 9 Easy Steps To Follow!

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There are nine easy steps on how to dye curtains. All the steps are simple to execute; I’m sure it will just be a breeze for you!

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You need a dye solution, water and other tools to get this done.

how to dye curtains

Dyeing your curtains can be very challenging to do. But succeeding in this task can surely give you satisfaction.

The only tricky part throughout the entire process is selecting the right color to die your curtain and finding out the amount to use.

Then, the rest would be a breeze for you!

In this article, we will be guiding you as to how you should complete the task.

We will be including what you should and should not do when changing the color of your fabric.

So stay tuned, folks!

 

What Are The Things Needed?

Before we get right into the dyeing procedure, let us first get to know the things that can be handy.

As much as possible, it would help if you prepared all of them.

Here’s the list:

 

9 Steps To Follow To Dye Curtains

After you have prepared all the supplies needed, let us now start the dyeing process.

Just follow the steps provided below on how to dye curtains:

 

Step #1. Selecting your dye

Check the fabric and identify the right die that will work best in it.

Perhaps, your curtains are made of hundred-percent cotton.

You can use Rit dye that is specifically intended for natural materials.

But there are also Rit dyes that are made for synthetic materials.

 

Step #2. Prewash or soak the fabric

Soak your fabric in warm water so that the dye will spread evenly later on.

 

Step #3. Get a dye container

As you are saturating the fabric in water, you need to prepare the dye bath.

Find a large container that is enough for your material to fit in.

Remember the golden rule, the bigger, the better!

That is because it can provide more room for your to maneuver and agitate the fabric.

 

Step #4. Marking the container

Use a sharpie to create a fill line on your container.

This step is for consistency and convenience.

 

Step #5. Adding the ingredients

Pour the hot water until the fill line of the container.

Add a cup of salt and a few ounces of dye.

Stir the dye bath evenly until everything is combined and dissolved.

 

Step #6. Testing the color and dropping the curtain

Dip a piece of cloth or a paper towel carefully into the mixture to check the dye color.

Soak the fabric if the dye looks fine. Just dye one curtain at a time.

 

Step #7. Agitate 

To make sure that the fabric will be dyed evenly, you can set your timer and stir it every five or ten minutes.

In this step, you are simply making sure that the fabric is not folded or creased on itself but is instead moved around only.

Essentially, you are ensuring that the fabric will not come out splotchy or lighter than it has to be.

You can soak the fabric in the mixture for thirty minutes, or even longer, depending on how saturated or dark is your desired color.

 

Step #8. Rinsing the fabric

Take the fabric out of the dying bath carefully and rinse it using cold water.

Repeat the rinsing process until the water that is running out of the material is evident already.

 

Step #9. Washing the fabric

Put the fabric inside the washing machine and add a mild detergent.

Let the fabric tumble until it looks good and even.

Finally, dry.

 

Things To Remember

Before you start, I like to highlight some of the things below.

Make sure to apply them so that the process will be easier.

Some of the things listed here may be very obvious, but I will still include them just in case.

 

Do’s

  • Utilize a container with enough space
  • Confirm whether or not the dye is compatible with the fabric material
  • Set a timer for agitation
  • Wear rubber gloves and old clothes because the process can be very messy
  • Test the color first before adding the fabric
  • Make sure to use a measuring cup

 

Don’ts 

  • Don’t be afraid to mix different colors
  • It would be best if you did not overcrowd your die bath
  • Don’t skip vinegar or salt
  • Do not forget to set the timer for agitation
  • Don’t forget to soak the curtain before dying

 

Quick rules

  • You can dye your curtain to be more saturated, bolder, or darker, but of course, it cannot go lighter than its current color anymore;
  • Achieving a uniform and solid color is way more complicated than a random or organic pattern such as shibori;
  • In case the fabric comes out splotchy, don’t worry because you can still overdye it;
  • The broader and larger your curtain panel, the more challenging is the dyeing process; and
  • Each fabric or material requires a specific dye.

And that’s how you dye a curtain. Do you want to read more articles? Click here!

 

It’s A Wrap!

Now, you know that you can still change the color of your curtain into something more saturated, bolder, and darker.

However, you would need some time to learn the process.

Furthermore, it takes a few trials and errors to find out how to dye consistently and evenly.

But following the steps above on how to dye curtains, I know you can do it right!