Can the Dry Cleaners Dye Clothes?

Dyeing your clothes can be a fun and creative way to breathe new life into your old fabrics. Keep reading to learn whether dry cleaners can dye your clothes and helpful tips for dyeing your clothes at home. 

Do Dry Cleaners Dye Fabric?

If you are able to wash your clothing in a washing machine, you can dye it in there as well. However, if the care label on the clothing suggests dry cleaning, dyeing the clothes must be left to a professional. Unfortunately, these days, the majority of dry cleaners will not dye clothing. 

How Do I Dye Clothes at Home?

If you are looking for the proper steps to dyeing your clothes at home, look no further! Whether you are searching for a guide on how to dye pants that have been stained or you are just wanting to brighten up your white tees, keep reading to learn helpful tips and the key steps to dyeing clothes at home. 

Natural fibers, including cotton, linen, silk, hemp, and wool, take dye much better than synthetic fibers do. Use the following steps when dying natural fabrics to ensure that your dyeing process is a success:

• Prepare your basin. If you are dyeing a new article of clothing, it is important that you first wash it in the washing machine. To prep your work station, cover it with a towel or cloth that you don’t mind getting messy. Fill a large basin or bucket with boiling water. 

It is important to remember to dye your clothing in warm water, not hot water. Hot water can cause your fabrics to felt. Also remember to wear rubber gloves to ensure that your skin stays safe from stains. 

• Add your materials to the basin. Your next step is to stir in a spoonful or two of your chosen dye. For each gallon of water in your basin, add a quarter cup of table salt (for cotton or linen) or white vinegar (for wool and silk). Adding these ingredients can help the materials take the dye. 

• Soak your fabric. Using warm water, soak your fabric. Once it is wet, you can carefully place the garment into your dye bath. Use a stainless steel spoon to stir it around to ensure an even coating. Continue this stirring process for about ten minutes, allowing the fabric to get slightly darker than intended. 

• Rinse the fabric. After removing your garment from the dye bath, place it in a sink and rinse with warm water, gradually transitioning to cold water. This process will fade your dark colors to the desired hue. 

• Wash on a cold cycle. Using a cold spin cycle, toss your dyed fabric into the washer by itself. Use a milder detergent to help maintain dye quality, and then dry before enjoying your newly dyed garment. 

On the other hand, synthetic fibers, such as polyester, acetate, and acrylic, will require specific products and steps for a successful dyeing process. Always check the clothing item’s tag before you get started; if the fabric contains more than 35% of synthetic material, you will need to follow these steps for dyeing synthetic fabrics:

• Remove stains. Using bleach or laundry detergent, remove any stains on the fabric prior to the dyeing process. This helps to eliminate any discoloration after the dyeing process. 

• Carefully choose your color. If you are dyeing white or off-white synthetic fabrics, you typically will not have much of a problem matching your chosen color. However, when dyeing colored fabrics, it is recommended that you use a shade or two darker to achieve the desired color. 

• Prepare your stovetop. Dyeing synthetic fabrics require a specific attention to detail. Place a full pot of water on your stovetop burner. Add a tablespoon of dish detergent to the water and wait for it to boil at a consistent temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it has reached the desired temperature, add in your dye. 

• Continuing stirring for up to an hour. Depending on how synthetic your clothing is, you may have to stir the pot for up to an hour. For items that contain less synthetic materials, you may only have to stir between fifteen to thirty minutes. 

• Rinse and dry. After you have stirred the garment for the allotted time, remove the garment. Wash the item by itself in warm water and then wash again in cold water with a white article of clothing or a towel to see if there is any color bleeding from the dyed garment. 

Contact Hanger’s Cleaners Today

Whether you are in need of more time or just want to avoid the hassle of laundry, our team of professionals at Hangers Cleaners is here to help. From dry cleaning services to wet services, alterations, pressing clothes, and many more, Hangers Cleaners has got you covered! We know that life can get busy – that’s why we offer free dry cleaning delivery and pickup for all of our customers! Call us at 501-227-8500 to schedule services for all of your laundry needs today.