frequently asked questions

Of course! Almost all dyeing techniques are feasible. Whether you buy powder or liquid dye, the possibilities are almost endless.

You can visit our blog to find interesting articles on various dyeing techniques and get inspiration for your own creative projects.

For fabrics or coverings that cannot be removed, such as upholstery or wallpaper, Aybel fabric dye can be applied with a brush or spray.

You can use a sachet of tincture dissolved in about half a litre (or a litre) of warm water and proceed with the application.

Make sure there is no powder residue in the liquid and add salt (20/30 grams) and vinegar if the fabric is wool, polyamide, nylon or silk.

After application let it dry and if necessary proceed to apply Aybel Fiske fixative to ensure the colour sets and preserves it over time.

Creating a specific colour with fabric dye is the same as doing it with the usual colours. Red and yellow will give you an orange, blue and yellow a green, etc. The colour combinations are endless, but it takes creativity and patience to achieve the desired results.

When mixing colours always do so carefully, get a basin with plenty of water and start with a base colour. To create a green for example, start with a yellow base and gradually add blue powder. Darkening a light colour is always easier than the reverse.

Muslins are generally made of cotton fibre, which usually gives good results when dyed. However, hydrophilic fabrics give variable results that may sometimes not be optimal.

This happens because of the treatments that are done to the fabric to achieve water-absorbing capacity on the one hand and dirt-repellent capacity on the other. These properties make dyeing more difficult.

The most common problems are the continual release of colour, sometimes even after 5 or 6 washes at 90 degrees, or the ineffectiveness of the yellow colour compared to, for example, lilac or cyclamen colours.

If you are thinking of dyeing muslins, try one first. If you then wash it together with a small piece of white fabric, you can see how long it continues to release colour.

That said, we do not want to discourage the dyeing of hydrophilic fabrics, in fact most of the time the results are very good.

It all depends on the type of fabric the costume is made of. You can find the composition of the fabric on the garment's label. If it is made of polyester or other highly water-repellent fibres then dyeing will not work. For all other fabrics, on the other hand, you should get good results, but beware that the prints will always be visible and the seams will not be dyed.

To get an idea of the result you can cut a piece of fabric from the inside or from a lace and test the colour on that first.

If you want to change the colour of your curtains or simply brighten them up, you can do so with fabric dye. As these are usually bulky and heavy, you will need a lot of colour. Here are some tips to avoid disappointment and achieve good results.

1. Not all curtains can be dyed

It is possible that some curtains contain polyester and, if so, this cannot be dyed. The same also applies to the yarn used to make the fabric, which itself contains polyester.

It should also be noted that treatment with water-repellent substances during production can also negatively affect the end result.

2. Always follow the washing instructions

Every garment you buy has a label with washing instructions; this also applies to curtains. Consult this label to find out how many degrees they can be washed at and what the fabric composition is. Always pay attention to the presence of polyester, if the curtains are made of this material 100% of it will not dye. If, on the other hand, only a percentage is present, we still advise against dyeing because the result will still be unsatisfactory.

3. Washing instructions are not present

Handmade or custom-made curtains usually do not carry labels and washing instructions. If you have no idea of the composition of the fabric, test only a small part of it first and evaluate whether it is appropriate to proceed with dyeing.

4. Rehearse

Don't risk spending tens or hundreds of euros for nothing, start by buying a sachet of dye and test it to make sure the result is assured.

Look for a small portion of fabric to cut, usually near the top hem or seams. If there are excess seams, use those too, so you can test the dye on the yarn.

Put some dye powder in a glass and add hot water, let it dissolve well. Immerse the piece of fabric in the solution and wait about half an hour. Then rinse well and observe how the fabric has reacted. If the result is satisfactory, you can proceed to buy the colour of your choice to dye your curtains.

5. Experiment with different colours

Fabrics such as cotton, silk and nylon all react differently when dyed. The important thing is always to consider the base from which you start. Using a soft yellow on a black fabric is different than dyeing a yellow fabric black.

That is why we always recommend trying out different colours. Try darker and lighter shades, or create combinations between different colours.

You can fill several glasses with different colours and combinations. You don't need to use a lot of colour, one sachet will suffice for 10 different servings.

Have fun and experiment, but be sure to try it out on old fabrics or clothes first.

6. The water temperature is too low

The ideal temperature for dyeing fabrics is 90°C. Curtains can usually be washed at a maximum of 30-40°C and often tend to shrink even at these temperatures. It is difficult to achieve good results by dyeing at low temperatures because the colour does not adhere well to the fabric fibres and is therefore too soft.

7. Let the fabric soak for longer

If you dye at low temperatures, keep an eye on the intensity of the colour on the fabric by pulling it out of the dye bath or observing through the washing machine's porthole if the water is the same colour as the fabric.

If you see that the fabric remains light-coloured and struggles to dye, you can leave it in the water for longer, even overnight if necessary. The dye will only be perfect when the colour of the fabric no longer changes. If you dye in the washing machine, you can stop it halfway through the wash and leave it in
soaking, ensuring that the water in the basket covers the entire load and that it is turned over from time to time.

Dyeing the seat covers of cars, boats or motorhomes is a great way to revive their colour and give them new life.

Before dyeing any upholstery, it would be optimal if you could remove them so that they can be put in the washing machine. If the covering is very old or delicate, it is always advisable to
dye it by hand. For coatings that cannot be removed, you can apply the dye with a brush or a sprayer.

Washing instructions are not usually provided for seat covers, so it is difficult to determine the composition of the material and care must be taken when choosing
the right colouring procedure. In the case of wool or nylon, simply add a little vinegar to the colour bath for a good result. Also add some salt to ensure even coverage and excellent adhesion of the colour to the fabric.

If, on the other hand, you notice that the colour is washed out after a short time or even does not stick immediately, you are most probably dealing with polyester. This is the only material that cannot be dyed with a common fabric dye.

We always recommend choosing a colour that is very close to the original, or even darker by one or more tones. To obtain a lighter colour or one that differs completely from the original, it is necessary to bleach the fabric first. However, bleaching is not recommended on old or delicate fabrics as it may permanently damage them.

For dyeing large quantities of fabric, we always recommend that you start by buying a single sachet per colour and test before proceeding. All colours can also be combined with each other, so you can experiment until you find the shade and intensity you like best.

To try to correct this type of stain, the first step is to dissolve a pinch of dye in 100ml of water and add a little salt and vinegar if necessary. You can then try to dye the stain with the help of a cotton bud.

It is difficult to find the perfect colour among so many options, but you can start with a light shade and then if necessary darken it, warm it up or cool it down.

It certainly takes a good eye and a little patience to achieve the perfect colour, but in most cases it is possible to get very close to the basic colour. Red, blue or yellow primary colours can be used to warm up or cool down a certain colour tone. Brown and black are used to create darker shades.

Always start with a light base and go darker to achieve the desired result.

When you are satisfied with the result, dye the whole garment so that the colour is uniform.

It can sometimes happen that stains appear on the fabric after dyeing. There are different types of stains and consequently different causes. The most common causes are as follows:

1. The fabric is new and not washed sufficiently: new fabrics and garments are usually starched to stiffen the fabric. In addition, it is not uncommon for them to be impregnated with water-repellent or stain-repellent agents during the production process, which means that the dye is not evenly absorbed by the fabric in question. Most of these protective substances are removed after a few washes, which is why it is always recommended to thoroughly wash new fabrics so that they can absorb the water and thus the dye well. For deeper cleaning, we recommend that you try using a dishwasher tablet instead of the classic detergent for washing cotton or nylon garments. Beware, however, of delicate fabrics such as silk or cashmere which could be ruined if washed with an overly aggressive soap such as dishwasher soap.
2. The fabric is old and/or worn: Old curtains, cushions or clothes usually give very good results when dyed. Beware, however, that since they have not been thoroughly washed, stains may form after dyeing. Grease residues are often the cause, as they are hardly visible on the fabric with the naked eye. This happens most frequently when the garment or fabric has been washed at too low a temperature. Sun creams and make-up are equally difficult to remove. Before dyeing
   any fabric, it is important to wash it at the highest permissible temperature stated on the label with a good detergent. Using dishwasher detergent instead of classic washing machine soap is a good alternative for fabrics that are not too delicate, such as silk or cashmere.
3. The washing machine was too full: If you notice lighter streaks than the colour you used to dye the fabric, similar to creases, it is likely that the washing machine was too full and consequently did not wash the garments properly. The washing machine should be filled to two-thirds of its capacity, taking care that the load is not too compacted. If there are too many clothes or fabrics in the drum, the water is not evenly distributed during washing and this causes stains or colour differences. Always make sure that the washing machine is large enough for the amount of garments you want to dye at one time.
4. Not enough stirring: When dyeing by hand it is important to stir continuously to ensure that the fabric absorbs the dye evenly. As soon as you immerse the fabric in the dye bath it is important to start mixing immediately to avoid staining. If after 5 or 10 minutes you see that the dye has spread well over the fabric, you can proceed to stir for 1 or 2 minutes at 15 minute intervals. If necessary, you can stir less frequently after a few hours and let it soak overnight.
5. The washing machine discharges the residual water before starting the washing programme: If you see very large stains or the colour is very faint compared to the hoped-for result, the cause is probably the washing machine's operation. If you have placed the contents of the dye packet directly into the drum, it is possible that the washing machine has drained the residual water from the previous wash before starting the new cycle, thereby also draining the colour. To ensure this does not happen, pay attention to the sound of the water draining as soon as you switch on the washing machine.

The dyeing result may vary from case to case. Colours may differ from those shown on the website or packaging.

All fabrics are different and react differently. Even if the same colour is used, results may vary. It can also happen that there are differences depending on how and whether a garment has been washed before being dyed. It can sometimes happen that detergents containing water-repellent or bleaching agents influence the final result.

Always bear in mind that most colours consist of a mix of primary colours such as red, blue and yellow. All other colours are called secondary colours, precisely because they descend from the combination of the primaries.

Denim for example is usually in blue tones, but at the same time contains traces of red. This gives it a purplish undertone. Again, blue is often found in greys, yellow in greens and so on.

When dyeing, the colour penetrates the fibres of the fabric and, if it finds substances that absorb the colour more easily than others, the end result will be different. For example, dark blue may turn to purple, grey to blue and green may not turn green enough.

To avoid being disappointed with the result, please test the colour on a small piece of fabric before proceeding.

Light colours are much easier to restore, whereas it is more difficult with darker shades. In these cases it is important to bleach before dyeing and this can be done with specific products available in specialised shops or online.

You can also resort to using bleach to bleach a garment, always taking care to dilute it before proceeding. In fact, this can damage the fabric fibres if used in too high a concentration.

After bleaching the garment to be dyed, it is advisable to wash it repeatedly and possibly with dishwasher detergent to remove all traces of bleach or bleach. This is to facilitate the adhesion and absorption of the colour and achieve a
better result.

Every washing machine has a rinsing programme which is activated at the end of each wash and serves to remove residues of dirt, detergent and bacteria from the drum. If this operation is unsuccessful, these residues are not removed and may transfer during subsequent washes.

Limescale can easily absorb and release dirt and consequently dye. If there is too much limescale in the washing machine, this is likely to affect the success of the rinse. Another cause could be small items of clothing, such as a sock, stuck in the filter.
of the washing machine. Also watch out for lint residues.

Washing machine manufacturers always recommend regular cleaning and each offers a different specific product. You can also find cleaning instructions in the user manual of your washing machine.

If the washing machine is well maintained and cleaned regularly, limescale and other dirt residues will be practically non-existent and you can therefore proceed to dye your garments without any problems. In the case of old, poorly maintained or defective washing machines, a thorough cleaning will be necessary before proceeding.

If you have doubts about the functioning of your washing machine, we recommend that you opt for hand washing.

If after dyeing the garment or fabric you have no results, the fabric is probably a polyester or a highly water-repellent fibre. In some rare cases, the problem may be attributable to the functioning of your washing machine.

Polyester is the only fabric that does not give any results after dyeing. This fabric in fact requires a very high water temperature (around 190 degrees) and a specific dye. Polyester cannot be dyed with ordinary fabric dye, so it is always a good idea to read the label and make sure the garment is not polyester.

In the case of fabrics with a mixed composition of polyester and other fibres, the end result varies according to the percentage of polyester present. If, for example, you have a composition of 30% polyester and 70% polyamide, you will obtain a lighter shade as the colour will only be absorbed by the polyamide fibres.

To ensure that the fabric you want to dye is not water-repellent, dip a corner of it in water. If the water slips off and is not absorbed, the same will happen with dyeing and the result will be null.

Sometimes it is possible that the cause of the dye failure can be traced back to the use of the washing machine. Some washing machines drain excess water before starting the washing programme and in this way the dye you have added to the drum is lost. Usually when the washing machine is switched on you can hear if any water is being drained out. If this happens, this could be the reason why your fabric has not been dyed.