Fabric Dyes

Hand dye or machine dye?

Dylon Hand Dye is used in a bowl or sink. Choose it for small items and delicates you would rather not put through the washing machine, such as vests, socks, cushion covers and accessories. You will also need 250 g of salt.

Dylon Machine Dye goes straight in the washing machine. It is the easier option for larger items: jeans, T-shirts, bedding and home textiles. Run an empty hot wash afterwards to clear any dye from the drum. Both come in 24 colors.

Will your fabric take the dye?

Check the care label for the fibre content before you buy.

• Takes dye well: cotton, linen and viscose.
• Dyes lighter: wool and silk with the hand dye, and mixed fibres such as polycotton.
• Won't take it: pure polyester, acrylic, nylon and fabrics with a special finish.

Polyester thread does not take the dye either, so on most jeans and shirts the stitching stays its original color. Dye also adds to the color already there rather than replacing it, so you can go darker but not lighter, and a faded blue dyed yellow will come out green.

How many packs?

One pack of hand dye colors up to 250 g of dry fabric to full shade. Weigh the fabric dry before you start. A 600 g load needs three packs, not two, because an under-dosed load comes out paler than the color on the pack.