When the question of “nothing to wear” arises once again, all things seem boring, and your favorite faded jeans are lying around in the closet that you feel sorry to throw away, denim dye will help out. By using your imagination, you can not only return color to your clothes, but also create a unique look.
- What can be used to dye jeans
- Painting on jeans with acrylic paints
- Aniline dyes for jeans
- Dyeing jeans with dilon
- Faded Jeans Effect Using Bleaching
- Spray painting
- Powder dyes for jeans
- Blueing to give jeans a rich blue color
- Fabric paints
- Extreme and Experimental Dyes for Denim
- Preparation and methods of dyeing jeans at home
- Dyeing jeans in a washing machine
- Painting in an enamel basin
- Creating the "boiled" effect
- How to care for dyed jeans so that they retain their color longer?
What can be used to dye jeans
To bring old jeans back to life or make your favorite pants more original, there are a lot of dyes to choose from.
Painting on jeans with acrylic paints
Regular acrylic paint will come in handy for both professional artists and fashionistas to create a masterpiece from boring trousers. Nowadays it is quite easy to find any shades on the shelves, but if this is not enough, you can get a new one – the paints mix well.
The color should be applied with a brush onto pre-washed, dried and ironed material. It is better to draw the outline of the design in advance with a pencil or fabric chalk so as not to get lost in the process. Thick cardboard should be placed inside the trouser leg so that the paint does not print on the other side.
Please note! Although acrylic paint penetrates deep into the fibers, with frequent washing the image will quickly lose its saturation, so it is not recommended to revive pants for everyday wear in this way.
When everything is ready, you need to let the acrylic dry. This may take 12-16 hours. Then the place where the paint was applied should be ironed so that the drawing lasts longer.
Aniline dyes for jeans
An excellent dye for denim fabric is obtained on the basis of aniline.
Aniline powders tolerate the effects of water and detergents well, so clothes dyed with them are not afraid of washing.
Important! When dyeing with powder, you can add table salt to it, so the color will be more uniform and will last longer. Consumption is 100 g of salt per 8-10 liters of water. Usually the same amount of liquid is required for 1 packet of powder, but it is better to clarify this point in the operating manual.
Now there are liquid dyes based on aniline, they do not require dilution and are easier to use, but are less durable, such paints are suitable for applying patterns and small drawings.
Interesting to know! If you mix aniline liquid dye with tragacanth glue in a ratio of 1:3, the composition will not spread. In addition, the pattern will fade less.
Dyeing jeans with dilon
To restore faded blue or black jeans to their original rich color, there is dilon. The product is very easy to use: it is simply added to the machine like washing powder. In addition to the coloring effect, dilon also removes dirt. The effect of painting is quite long-lasting.
Although initially dilon was produced in only two colors, today there is already a lot to choose from.
Faded Jeans Effect Using Bleaching
While some are trying to update their jeans by returning their color, others dream of making them look older. In the USSR, acid-washed jeans were popular, and fashion, as we know, is cyclical and tends to return.
This original effect can be achieved using ordinary bleach.
Spray painting
It is unlikely that you will be able to achieve uniform coloring with spray paint, but you can use your imagination and create fancy patterns. When using aerosol, it is better not to disdain a stencil, otherwise you can grab excess fabric.
Not only dye specifically for denim, but any available spray paint will work well and last a long time.
Powder dyes for jeans
A universal fabric dye powder works great for denim.
It is used economically, works effectively, does not damage the structure of the fabric. Using it according to the instructions, achieving the desired result will not be difficult.
Blueing to give jeans a rich blue color
You can quickly and easily restore the color of faded blue jeans by using bluing. The amount of dye is calculated depending on the desired shade. The product is diluted in warm salt water. The jeans are soaked in the resulting solution for several hours, sometimes “stirring” them and turning them over to get an even color. Finally, the pants are rinsed in a weak vinegar solution.
The main disadvantage of this method is that the result does not last long. After the first wash, the blueing will start to wash out.
Fabric paints
Almost any fabric paint will work on denim. They come in powder, liquid, and tablet form.
Extreme and Experimental Dyes for Denim
Experimenters who are not attracted by proven and modern methods of coloring can turn to folk ingenuity. It is unlikely that the following options will achieve high-quality uniform coloring, but if someone is not afraid of unexpected results - why not try? After all, if the methods exist, then someone needs it.
- Felt-tip pen ink. To get the paint, you need to dip the rods of a dozen or two felt-tip pens into water and leave them to infuse until they turn completely white. Dip your jeans into the resulting liquid and leave them for a couple of hours. It is worth considering that the fabric should be much lighter than the felt-tip pens used.
- Natural dyes are also great for denim. Each food product contains pigment in greater or lesser quantities. If you choose bright vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, spices, you can get an interesting result. Grind the selected ingredient and pour water 1:2. Boil and let it brew the longer, the more saturated the desired color. Strain. Dilute 4 parts vinegar with 1 part dye, add ½ part salt. Boil the jeans in the resulting solution for an hour.
- Hair dye. For one pair of pants, take 2 packs of ammonia-free dye, dilute with water (it should be enough to cover the jeans completely, but no more). Soak the jeans for a couple of hours.
- Henna and coffee will give jeans a brown color. Mix a pack of henna with 2 tbsp. of ground coffee. Use the same way as natural dyes.
Preparation and methods of dyeing jeans at home
Before you start painting, it is important to wash out all the stains, otherwise it will ruin the result - the color will lie unevenly, and the dirt will become even more noticeable. Even if the pants seem clean, it is better to rewash them just in case. It is worth checking that there is nothing left in the pockets.
Attention! Regardless of the method, it is better to work with protective gloves.
By preparing everything you need in advance, you can avoid delays and mistakes in painting.
Dyeing jeans in a washing machine
The dye is added to the drum of the machine or to the compartment for washing powder. Before use, it is recommended to dilute the dye with water until it is homogeneous, this will provide a more even shade.
After that, you need to select any long wash cycle and water temperature of 90-100 degrees.
This method allows you to achieve a uniform, even color without wasting any extra effort.
Painting in an enamel basin
For manual painting, you will have to use enamelware. It is better to refuse aluminum containers: after interaction with chemicals, they will be damaged.
The jeans are boiled, stirring occasionally, in the dye at a constant temperature for 1-2 hours.
Creating the "boiled" effect
You can get the effect of "boiled" jeans using bleach both on the stove and in the washing machine. The main thing is to maintain a constant high temperature. To prepare the solution, dilute the bleach with hot water 1:10.
The jeans are pre-rolled to create fancy patterns and stains, and tied with elastic bands in several places, after which they are dyed as usual.
How to care for dyed jeans so that they retain their color longer?
To ensure that the result lasts longer, dyed jeans require careful care.
It is better to wash pants by hand, in warm, but not hot water. Preference should be given to laundry soap or soap nuts, rather than aggressive powders. Before washing, jeans should be turned inside out.
Important! You should wash dyed jeans separately from other items.
The product should not be pre-soaked – the color will come off along with the dirt.
Jeans should never be dried in direct sunlight, as this will cause the colour to fade. Leaving the garment on a radiator can result in yellow stains and dull colours. Drying on clotheslines in a well-ventilated area is suitable.
By following these simple recommendations, you can dye jeans at home and enjoy the rich colors for a long time.
