There are several reasons why you might consider dyeing your comforter. For one, the fabric can get old and fade, but replacing the whole thing isn’t cheap. Another reason might be that you simply want to switch things up and change the look of your comforter. Still, is it easy to dye a comforter? And can you do it at home?
You can dye a comforter at home, and the process is relatively easy. All you need is water, dye, a bathtub, and the comforter. Mix hot water and dye in the tub and dip the comforter in the mixture. Then rinse the dye off the comforter, wash with a mild detergent, and dry.
Keep in mind that dye is a potent item that might stain your bathtub. So let’s take a look at how exactly to dye your comforter, how to avoid bathtub stains, and some other useful tips to keep in mind as you try it out for yourself.
What Is a Comforter?
A comforter is a thick, fluffy blanket placed on top of your bed, primarily used to keep you warm. They’re usually filled with goose down or synthetic fiber materials such as cotton blends or polyester, and they are sewn or stitched securely.
Besides the filling, there are also different types of comforters made with several materials/fabrics, and you can choose any based on personal preferences. You can find comforters made of natural fibers, cotton, bamboo, silk, wool, etc.
Comforters mostly come in bedding sets alongside pillowcases and sheets, and, unlike duvets, they don’t come with covers or additional accessories. A comforter is easy to clean and maintain; you can hand wash it or put it in the washing machine.
How to Dye a Comforter
Sometimes, instead of buying a new comforter, all you have to do is dye it. That way, you can keep the fabric looking fresh and radiant while saving yourself a lot of money.
Fabric dye is easy to get at any retail store, and dying a comforter is easy — as long as you have the essential supplies. Rit dyes (on Amazon) are a popular option for household purposes.
Once you have your comforter and fabric dye, you can follow these steps to dye the material:
- Ensure your comforter is clean and free of stains before you dye it. You can wash the comforter before dyeing it to ensure it’s clean.
- Fill your bathtub with about 11 liters of hot water and add the fabric dye to it. Some fabric dyes come with instructions on how to use them so that you can follow the directions accordingly.
As a rule of thumb, though, you should add four ounces of liquid dye per pound of fabric and one-eighth of an ounce of powder fabric dye per pound of material. If you’re using powder fabric dye, dissolve it in water before adding it to the bathtub. - Stir the water in the bathtub so that the dye spreads evenly in the water. Before placing the comforter in the mixture, wet it with hot water.
- After placing the comforter in the bathtub mixture, stir the fabric around the tub with a wooden stick. Let it soak for about 30 minutes, although that depends on how much color you want to get into your comforter.
- Afterward, drain the dye mixture from the bathtub and rinse the comforter with warm water. As you rinse, expose the fabric to cooler water until there’s no color residue in the water anymore.
- Wash the comforter. You can use your hands or the washing machine — use mild detergent either way. Then you can machine dry the dyed fabric or spread it outside to air dry.
Dye stains are stubborn and difficult to get rid of. So there’s a high chance that the color will stick to your bathtub after dyeing the comforter. Unless you’re okay with a discolored bathtub, you’ll want to get rid of the stains, and you can do that with the following steps:
- Fill the bathtub with warm water until it reaches the stained part. Add chlorine bleach or white vinegar to the water.
- Allow this mixture to sit in the tub for about 15 minutes before draining the tub.
- Mix one cup of baking soda and chlorine bleach to form a paste, and use the mixture and a toothbrush to scrub any leftover stains.
Will Rit Dye Stain My Bathtub?
Yes, Rit dye can stain your bathtub, especially if the tub is made of fiberglass or porcelain. You can avoid this by using the right amount of dye for your fabric. You can follow the steps above to get rid of dye stains from your bathtub.
How Long Does Rit Dye Last?
As long as you store a Rit dye well, it will last as long as you want it to — it has an unlimited shelf life. To store liquid dyes, you should ensure the container’s cap is tight and secure.
For powder dyes, you should store them in a cool and dry place. The store already mixed powder dyes in airtight containers.
Does Rit Dye Bleed?
You should use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative (on Amazon) to avoid bleeding. It reduces bleeding and even makes the color of your dyed fabric pop. You can use Rit dye on linen, cotton, rayon, silk, and wool. For this to work efficiently, use it as soon as you finish dyeing the fabric before you rinse and launder.