Can You Dye Satin? How to Dye Satin Shoes, Dress or Curtains
Change is good if it is well thought out, constructive, and fits the fabric that you like. Making a change for the sake of change is not the best way to dye your clothes. You may end up with a mess on your hands. Make sure the change is always for the better.
Can you dye satin? It is possible to change the color on different satin clothing items. If you do not like the original color anymore, it has bleach stains or the original color bled out unevenly, you can try to make your satin fabrics look new again.
There are different dyes for different fibers that satin is made from. You are going to have your work cut out for you as dyeing satin depends on the fibers it is made from. The real question is do you want the frustration and hassle of dyeing your satin clothing when buying new or used is a better option?
Just because you can do something doesn’t mean it should be done as there is no guarantee you will get the results you want when you are done. Think it through first before you leap as you may end up buying new when you do not like what you get as a finished product.
Dyeing Satin 101
Does Satin Dye Well and Easily?
Yes and no. It will depend on the type of fiber your satin items are made from. First, silk is the easiest fiber to dye of all the fibers used to make satin fabric. The process is also easy as you can use your washing machine to get the job done.
Polyester satin may be the hardest fabric to dye of all the satin fibers. It also takes longer to dye than other satin fibers. Then you have the problem of the shiny side. This shiny side is what makes satin different from other fabrics.
When you dye the shiny side, you will find that the dye did not absorb and washed out quite easily. The shiny side doesn't absorb the dye very well. Then if the fabric is made from 2 different fibers, go with the dyeing process that fits the dominate fiber.
What to Use to Dye Satin
Different fibers need different types of dyes. There is no one size fits all dye out there that will handle all the variations of satin fibers. To find out which dye you need to use, you need to look at the labels to see which fiber was used to create that particular dress, curtain, and so on.
Polyester or acetate satin needs a disperse dye as that product is made for synthetic fibers. You might see it labeled as a polyester dye. Then silk and rayon fibers need a reactive dye to handle the color-changing process. You can use warm water and your washing machine for these satin fabrics.
Next up is nylon satin and it needs an acid dye to get the job done correctly. You need your stove and a large pot to do this method of dyeing. And a little vinegar as well as time.
How to Dye Satin With Food Coloring
Food coloring may not last when you use it as a dye. Plus, you have to pick the right satin fiber to use food coloring on. Silk fibers usually hold that dye the longest. Keep in mind food coloring is not a permanent dye and will fade quickly over time.
- Step 1. Place your satin fabric in a 1 to 1 mixture of water and vinegar and let it soak for 30 minutes.
- Step 2. Empty that mixture and remove the excess moisture from the satin item. Then mix 10 to 15 drops of food coloring in with 3 to 4 cups of water. Remember you can always add drops of food coloring not take them away.
- Step 3. Soak your satin clothing in the new mixture for about 10 to 20 minutes.
- Step 4. now remove the clothing from this dye mixture and get rid of excess moisture. Then seal in a plastic bag for 8 hours. And you are done.
Dye Satin With Dylon
Dylon dyes are made more for natural fibers than synthetic ones. That means you have to stop the process and find out what your satin items are made from. Once you do that you should be able to find the right Dylon dye to handle your dyeing project.
The company makes a multi-purpose dye that may work for your sating items that are made from synthetic fibers. Once you know the fiber material you should be able to find the right dye for it.
After that, just follow the instructions on the box to get the dyeing process correct. One word of warning, you may find it impossible to get a true black from these dyes. That means you will have to settle for a lighter version of that color.
Also, you may find that some dyes may wash out if you use it on synthetic materials.
Can You Dye Satin Shoes?
Satin show makers do not make satin shoes in a variety of colors. That would be an enormous task and quite a business expense. They chose the cheaper and easier route and make their satin shoes in white. Then they leave the dyeing up to you.
You could check the online yellow pages to see if different stores do the dyeing for you. This may be expensive as well as time-consuming. Or you can simply buy the right dye and do it yourself.
If you follow the instructions then you should be successful and change the white to a color that you want to wear. Just make sure not to deviate from the instructions as that may cost you a nice pair of satin shoes.
One way to avoid disaster is to practice a bit on an old pair of shoes you do not want anymore. Once you get used to the process then do your satin shoes.
What Dye to Use for Satin Shoes
It is possible to use a hot water dye when changing the color of your satin shoes. The process is easy and should only take an hour or two to complete. Also, these dyes can be mixed to get a different richer color than what is on the tin.
Or you can use a direct dye and apply the dye first then spread it evenly using a sponge soaked in the dye. This latter dye becomes water-resistant after 24 hours. The one thing about a multi-purpose dye is that they do not usually become colorfast when dry.
You will find many different brands that will work on your satin shoes. Go with a brand you trust and one that has clear, concise but specific instructions that are easy to follow. Take your time and read all the warnings and tips before buying.
How to Dye Satin Shoes
For the TRG brand of dye, if the shoe uppers are soft, put some newspaper inside the shoe to firm up the uppers. The included brush helps you get the seams and the part of the shoe next to the sole. Those are the first areas you need to work on.
Next, soak the sponge in the dye and apply an even coat over the upper area. If the color is not as deep as you want it, then apply more coats until you are satisfied. For this and other dye products, make sure to clean your shoes first, and remove all stains.
For hot water powder dyes, bring about 1/2 a quart of water to a boil and then add a little of the dye. You can add a pinch of salt if you want. If the color is not right just add more dye. But be careful, after you add it you can’t take it away.
Next mix the dye and water together then get a clean towel and dab the dye onto your shoes. Let dry for 24 hours.
Can You Dye Satin Dress?
Yes, you can but if that dress is made from synthetic fibers it may not dye that well and the color may wash out fairly quickly. Once you determine what fibers were used to create your dress, then you can select the right dye made for those fibers.
Fabric fibers are not always accepting dyes so you have to be careful. Silk fibers are the easiest to work with and they accept dye quite well. The same cannot be said for synthetic fibers and you may not like your results.
Always wear protective clothing and gear as dyes tend to stain other clothing items creating another mess you have to clean up. The key is to take your time and not rush the process.
How to Dye a Satin Dress at Home
The process for dyeing a satin dress is not unique or difficult. The first thing you need to do is find the fibers that were used to create the dress. Then you go to the store and buy the dye made for those fibers.
Once you have done that weigh the dress so you know how much dye to use. 1 box of powder dye or 1/2 a bottle of the liquid dye is needed for every pound the dress weighs. Add more dye if you want a darker color.
Next, wash the dress in warm water and remove excess water without drying the dress all the way. Next heat 3 gallons of water and pour it into a bucket, add a cup of salt or vinegar after adding the dye.
Mix the ingredients well and then place your dress in the mixture for 30 minutes. Keep soaking until the desired color is reached. Remove excess water. Different dyes have different instructions so read the instructions carefully so you do not use a step meant for a different dye type.
Can You Dye Satin Curtains?
Like satin clothing, this option depends on the fibers used to make the curtains. Check the labels to make sure that they do not say ‘do not dye’. If they do, don’t dye the curtains.
If the all-clear signal is given find which fiber the curtains were made from and select a dye that works with that fiber. Make sure the curtains are nice and clean before you attempt the dyeing process.
Some curtains are bulky so dyeing them may not be practical. If they are large get some help to maneuver the fabric keeping them from being ruined as you work. It is always best to dye items a darker color instead of a lighter one. The darker color hides the original color a lot better and is less work.
How to Dye Satin Ribbon
The good part about this process is that you do not need a large bucket and you may be able to do the whole job from start to finish sitting down. Once you have gathered your liquid dye, ribbon, and other supplies you are ready to begin.
The next step is to get the dye ready in a small bowl and it can be only less than 1/2 inch deep when done. Cut off as much ribbon you need from your roll and then dip the tip into the dye. A few seconds is all you need.
Then turn the dye over and dip in the other tip so you have an even color. Unroll when you are done and let dry. The color you get will depend on how many times you dip the ribbon in the dye. The more dye the darker the color.
Dyeing Satin Gloves
This is not a hard process either as like all other satin items the dyeing process depends on the fibers used to create the gloves. Also, you need to remember that the shiny side is not as absorbent as the dull side so your results may not be the best it can be.
You can use one of many brands of dye on the market today and some suggest Rit Dye to handle your satin gloves. Also, if the gloves have some stretch to them, those fibers may not accept the dye very easily.
Make sure to follow the instruction on the bottle or in the box to get the results you want to see. Different dyes have different processes so choose the one that works best for you and your purpose. Dyed fabric that hasn’t dried usually looks darker than the dried appearance.
Can You Dye a Satin Wedding Dress?
It is possible but you will run into the same difficulties that you do when you dye other satin items. The shiny side may not hold the color for as long as you want. Then you have to be aware that the satin may dry light while the trim may dye dark.
Also, you may need more dye than you figure and it is best to get more as you never know when you will need it. Having more on hand keeps you from delaying the process while you run to the store and get more.
On top of that, if you have metallic threads in your wedding dress, you may find that they will dry a lot lighter than you wanted. One thing is for sure, you can continue to wear your wedding dress for other occasions when you dye it a color other than white.
Dye Satin Handbag
Check the labels if your handbags have any and make sure they are not made from materials that cannot or should not be dyed. Then read the labels to find the fibers your handbag was made from so you can get the right dye for the fibers used.
The dyeing process is not much different from dyeing your satin shoes. To keep your handbag material firm, fill it with tissues or newspapers. Or you can use the immersion method used for most satin clothing items.
The method is up to you. Just make sure to follow the instructions correctly so you do not mess up your satin purse. If you use the immersion method, make sure to let the purse soak for 30 minutes before removing it from the bucket.
Also, do not forget to clean your purse and remove any item inside. For quick drying, you can use your dryer to get the handbag usable again.
Some Final Words
Dyeing satin is a difficult chore. One that may be filled with more frustration than anything else. That is because satin is not a unique fabric but a weave style. The fibers used to create satin items will determine which dye and process you will use.
The keys are to use enough dye, clean your garments well first, and follow instructions correctly if you want success and be happy with your results.
