| This is a good way of being able to revamp a tired | | | | and the corresponding quantities of dye must be in |
| looking sofa, or just change the colour to blend in with | | | | direct proportion to the weight of each batch.c. The |
| your new living room decorating scheme. It can work | | | | above point also applies to the preparation/dye strip |
| out much cheaper than buying a new sofa or set of | | | | phase uneven preparation will give uneven dyeing.. |
| covers and enables you to do your bit for the | | | | 4. Handling dye powders can be a very messy job, |
| environment by recycling your old sofa instead of | | | | follow all recommended safety precautions from the |
| sending it to landfill and buying a new one. | | | | dye supplier. Be aware that it is very easy to |
| Considerations to take into account: | | | | contaminate other fabrics e.g. avoid any drafts that |
| 1. Does the original colour need stripping out first? | | | | may pick up dye particles and either deposit them on |
| Maybe your new colour is paler, a completely different | | | | other fabrics or surfaces that may then cause |
| tone or badly faded. Its very important to remember, | | | | problems later. Clean all surfaces before and after and |
| as with decorating, preparation is the key to a | | | | use suitable protective clothing. |
| successful result and if you try to apply dye to an | | | | The above point can be illustrated with a case I |
| unevenly faded base colour this will still show through. | | | | witnessed where dye powder got onto someone's |
| Never use chlorine bleach this will damage your fabric, | | | | hair and they were noticing coloured spots developing |
| use a dye-stripping agent recommended by your dye | | | | on everything they looked at for the rest of the day. |
| supplier. Printed fabrics seldom strip and the patterns | | | | 5. If you have dyed a dark colour in your washing |
| will show through on all but the darkest colours. | | | | machine run several dark loads through to help reduce |
| 2. A stripping process prior to dyeing can also | | | | the chance of residual dye staining pale colours. |
| incorporate a washing process to try and remove | | | | 6. You need to know the fibre content of your sofa to |
| anything from the surface of the sofa that may | | | | check for suitability. Cotton, linen and viscose will |
| interfere with the dyeing or still show through after dye. | | | | accept dye readily with the relevant home dyes. |
| Examples of potential problems are:a. Unevenly worn | | | | Synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon will not |
| stain resist or flame retardant e.g. if you've only | | | | dye and will at best just stain to a very pale version of |
| washed the cushion covers and not the sofa base in | | | | the illustrated colour. |
| the past.b. Various spills and stains that could either | | | | Combinations of cotton and polyester will dye to a |
| block dye or accelerate the dyes uptake in a localised | | | | paler version of the colour illustrated and will be in |
| areas (some dyes are attracted to grease/oil). | | | | proportion to the percentage of polyester. |
| 3. If you were going to use a washing machine I would | | | | 7. Following on from point 6. Any visible polyester |
| suggest some points to consider:a. There must be | | | | sewing threads will neither strip or dye and will remain |
| sufficient room for the material to circulate freely to | | | | the original colour. |
| avoid uneven and patchy tie-dye effects. The drum | | | | 8. Be aware that shrinkage could be an issue, if the |
| should be no more than half full.b. If the load has to be | | | | covers have been previously washed successfully this |
| dyed in several batches these must be weighed | | | | is an indication that any shrinkage should be |
| accurately to as close as the same weight as possible | | | | acceptable. |