Troubleshooting

Can you dye burlap?

Burlap is compatible with fabric dyes. Using a lighter burlap material will produce a more desired color. When cutting the burlap to a specific size, leaving a few extra inches on all sides is essential. This prevents fraying that may occur during the dyeing process from impacting your final project. Follow the standard dyeing instructions, rinse the burlap thoroughly, and hang it to dry.

Can you dye yarn?

Yes, but remember that natural fiber yarns — such as cotton, wool, silk, and alpaca — take on dye much better than synthetics (acrylic).

Can you dye Easter eggs with fabric dye?

Tulip One-Step and Permanent Fabric (hot water) Dyes will stain natural eggshells. Please note that you should not consume eggs dyed with our products because our dyes are not food-grade. Tulip dyes can be used on natural wooden eggs but won't dye plastic.

Can colored or printed fabrics be dyed?

Suppose you want to dye the fabric a darker color. In that case, we recommend using a dye color within the same color family as the existing color on the fabric (i.e., from Light Pink to Fuchsia). Any color outside of the color family may cause a messy result. Remember, color mixing rules will apply.

What is the best fabric dye remover?

Bleach is the best dye remover. Soak the shirt in bleach/water mixture until you achieve your desired look. Results may vary, and it is not likely to bleach entirely white.

Can colors be mixed when dyeing fabrics?

Yes! Creating new colors by mixing dyes is a fun dye technique that can expand your creative process. We recommend adding water to your dye bath or bottle and mixing it into a third bottle or bowl. Activating the dye makes it easier to see your color creation. You can also try the Tulip Color Mixing Tie-Dye Kit, which includes the dye and guide for creating 50 unique formulas.

Can you remove the dye once processed or if in unwanted area?

If the dye has already dried, it will be tough to remove. On a wet dye stain, try soaking with rubbing alcohol. Dab the stain with a paper towel to remove color, reapply rubbing alcohol, and dab some more. If alcohol does not work, add a bit of liquid laundry detergent to the stain. Scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse in warm water to remove detergent and alcohol. If working on white fabric, bleach may work to remove small spots or stains. If the stain persists, consider redyeing the garment with a darker color rather than discarding the garment.

What fabric will dye best?

We recommend using our dye products on fabrics that are 100% natural, such as cotton, rayon, and silk. Our dyes absorb into natural fibers, which is why they hold their color so well, washing after washing. Manufactured synthetic materials such as polyester, acrylic, nylon, etc., absorb these dyes poorly or sometimes not at all. If you want to experiment, try on a similar fabric swatch first.

With fabric dyes, how do I get even color?

You'll need your fabric completely wet before starting so the dye permeates the fabric. Add salt as indicated, and remember, the hotter the water, the better the results. If using the stovetop method, fully dissolve the dye to ensure maximum coverage and color vibrancy.

How do I determine how much fabric dye I need?

For Permanent Fabric (hot water) Dyes, one packet (50 grams) mixed with 1 gallon of hot water will dye the equivalent of one oversized adult T-shirt. For stronger color, use 1 1/2 to 2 packets of dye per gallon of water. Use less than one packet of dye per gallon of water for lighter colors. Tulip Fabric Dye Pods will dye up to four adult medium T-shirts or two medium jeans per cycle. Adding more fabric than recommended to your wash cycle will produce less vibrant color. Add a second dye pod to the wash for larger loads or more vibrant results. Please note that results may vary due to differences in washing machines (water holding capacity, heat settings, etc.).