Instructions for fiber reactive dyes

1. Scour your fabric

• Note the weight your dry fabric.
• Wash (by hand if you want) in hot tap water with a small amount of Synthrapol® (about 1 tsp).
• Let it soak for 10 - 15 minutes.
• Rinse

2. Calculate quantity of dye

General amounts of dye, salt and soda ash per 3 gallons of water and one pound (454 g) of fabric:

For very pale shades:

• ¼ to ½ teaspoon dye, 1½ cups salt, ¼ cup soda ash

For light shades:

• ½ to 1 teaspoon (3 g) dye, 1½ cups salt, ¼ cup soda ash

For medium shades:

• 1 tablespoon (9 g) dye, 1.5 cups salt, 1/4 cup soda ash

For darker shades:

• 2 tablespoons (18 g) dye, 2 cups salt, 1/4 cup soda ash

For darkest shades:

• 4 tablespoons (36 g) dye, 3 cups salt, 1/3 cup soda ash

If you have 150 g of fabric, you can divide 150 by 454 and apply that percentage to all measures above (i.e. 33% for 150 g).

3. Prepare dye bath

For one pound dry weight of fabric or fiber (3 to 6 square yards of fabric or 3 T-shirts)

• Fill container (such as a 5 gallon plastic bucket) with 3 gallons of warm (105° F) tap water. Add salt and dye in proportions listed in the general dye amounts above.
• Add the wet fabric.
• Stir frequently for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove or lift up the fabric.
• Add the soda ash. (It helps to dissolve the soda ash in a separate container in a little hot water first.) Stir into dye bath.
• Put the fabric back into dye bath and stir frequently for 30 to 60 minutes, (depending on the depth of intensity desired).

4. Rinse

• While wearing gloves, rinse the dyed fiber first with cool water, then with increasingly warmer water.
• After 3 or 4 rinses, when the water is nearly clear, prepare a soap soak. Use 2 to 3 gallons of very warm tap water and 1½ teaspoons of Synthrapol®. The fiber should sit in this soap bath for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Rinse 3 or 4 additional times with warm water.
• Using either Jacquard’s Dyeset Concentrate or Jacquard’s iDye Fixative during the initial rinse will further ensure long lasting colors.