Acid Dyes produce the most vibrant colors possible on protein fibers and nylon. These concentrated, powdered, hot water dyes are the best dyes available for silk, wool, cashmere, alpaca, feathers, and nylon. Extremely brilliant and colorfast, these dyes are very easy to use and produce a uniform dye job. A half ounce bottle will color up to two pounds of fiber depending on the depth of shade.

(Don't be alarmed by the name, the only acid involved is vinegar)

Immersion Dyeing in a Washing Machine

This document is also available in printer friendly PDF format:
 |  acid_dyes_instructions.pdf

(Not for wool. Wool will felt in a washing machine. Use the stove top method for wool.)

These directions are for top loading washing machines only.

1. Set the washing machine to the hot wash/cool rinse and longest wash cycle. Fill water to the lowest level appropriate for the amount of fabric being dyed.
2. Get fabric wet then pull out and set aside.
3. Add dye powder and agitate until dissolved. See chart below.
4. Add clean wet fiber and agitate for a few minutes.
5. Add one cup of vinegar being careful not to pour directly onto fabric. Let agitate a few more minutes.
6. Let machine run through cycle OR for maximum washfastness, stop and reset washer to maximum cycle length. Do not let the washing machine drain or start a new wash cycle. You just want to lengthen the time the fabric is in the dyebath. After resetting, let washer run through cycle.
7. Remove fabric from washing machine. To ensure that all of the excess dye has been removed, you may want to run the fabric through another wash cycle with cool water and some Synthrapol.
8. Run washer through a large rinse cycle to remove any excess dye in the washing machine.

Dye Quantities Chart

The quantities listed are for the deepest color saturation in one pound of fabric. For pastels and lighter colors, use less dye.

Stove Top Immersion Dyeing

This document is also available in printer friendly PDF format:
 |  acid_dyes_instructions.pdf

1. Fill a stainless steel or enamel pot with just enough hot or warm water for the fabric to swim freely, turn on the heat.
2. Add the dye powder to the pot and stir. Normally, in this procedure you would add 2 to 4% of the dry weight of the fabric in dye powder. For example, if you are dyeing 1 pound of fabric, use 1/3 to 2/3 of an ounce of dye.
3. Add the fabric that has been thoroughly wetted to the dyepot.
4. Raise the temperature to 185 to 200 degrees, just below boiling. Stir frequently.
5. Add ¼ cup of vinegar per pound of fabric. Try not to pour directly onto the fabric.
6. Maintain temperature and stir frequently for ½ hour. Wash in Synthrapol and warm water.

Note: If you are dyeing wool, a gradual heating and gradual cooling of the dyebath is important so as not to shock and felt the wool.