Since Shecki & Meg were so nice to put together instructions for dyeing in a machine, I figured I'd put together one for Front Loaders, since they are a little different.
I keep a child-proof lidded bucket of mixed soda ash on hand. I use the dharma recipe of: In a solution of 1 cup (8 oz.) of Soda Ash Fixer per gallon of warm or hot water, soak the fabric until saturated. Reuse solution until gone. Wring but don't rinse. Leave fabric wet or damp.
Then I mix up the dye: 8oz of HOT h2o + 1 Tablespoon of urea & the amount of dye (depending on how deep you want the color). I was going for pink, so I used 1/4 teaspoon of Fire Red.
Then I fill the washer with HOT h2o & just before it's done filling, I turn it off & add the dye. I turn it back on to let it dye mix & then add the fabric. I wring the fabric out, but try to separate it so that when I put it in the dye takes evenly & then turn the machine on as fast as you can! so that it will begin agitating.
I set the washer on HEAVY wash. Depending on how deep I want the color, I have to stop the washer & turn it back to HEAVY, BEFORE the rinse cycle begins. This is the pain of a Front Loader, because if you let it sit with dye, you get an uneven color b/c there is not enough h2o in the washer to completely cover the fabric.
So if I want a deep color I have to sit & monitor the washer & reset it, sometimes 4 - 5 times (if I start at HEAVY, I wait @ 15mins & then reset it).
But for pink I let it run through once.
Then once the cycle is complete, I re-wash it with synthrapol in HOT h2o. I use less than 1/8 of a teaspoon. It really suds up.
Mine has an extra rinse setting, so I use this, so that it rinses twice.
And that's that. Hope this was helpful.
Last edited by gurugarrou : 06-06-2004 at 12:06 PM.
Well, that's handy! Thank you for posting this. I'd been having a bit of buyer's remorse about our new front-loader (being delivered tomorrow!) because I thought I wouldn't be able to dye in it.
I guess now that I'll have to get all the laundry out of the way early (I've been saving it up ) and then find something to dye!
The dylon machine dye (not sure if you can get it here???) instructions say to add the dye as a powder before filling the machine then tipping the machine back and forth so the dye falls down the holes then covering the part where the dye was with salt. Wonder if you could do the same only instead of soaking in soda ash before adding pour it in the washer after putting the dye in before turning on. Then adding the clothes (it said put them in dry) and running the cycle as normal. The dylon machine dye always worked very well for me.
I'm not sure about the Dylon dye. I've not used it before. It sounds as if it would work. I have dyed a couple of times with RIT & I premixed the dye with salt with water & then poured it in at the same step as the dye above. Not sure if Dylon & RIT are the same.
I tend to use Dharma dye, unless I'm dyeing FOE & I've found it easy enough to use RIT dye in a cup for FOE.
Jess ~ dispite the pain of having to watch a dye load & reset for deeper colors, I think you will love your front loader. I know I do! It takes 1/4 - 1/2 of the amount of detergent of a regular washer & using hardly an h2o.
But keep the less is more motto in mind when dyeing with a front loader.
Last edited by gurugarrou : 06-06-2004 at 08:59 AM.
Location: Looking forward to whatever the future has in store
Posts: 3,251
Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!
I purchased a front loader about 6 months ago and LOVE my machine!! I literally bought a box of Costco detergent 4 months ago and have several months worth left in the box. I saw my water bill go down a little, too. All in all, it was sooooo worth it (especially since I only paid $200 for it as a scratch and dent model through Frigidaire!!).
Ive been wanting to try dyeing in it but was a little scared. Your directions are great! I think my manual gives time frames for all the cycles, so I will be sure to check that and wear a stopwatch when dyeing
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Jenn
Single mama to my two loves *~Feedback~*
"If you keep banging your head against the wall, you're going to get headaches."
YIPPEEE!!!!!! i'm so glad you posted this! i have the same machine as you do (i am ASSuming LOL yours looks like the kenmore front loader and that's what we have). i've been wanting to dye in it but had no idea how to do it. i think i'm going to try tonight.
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Liz~ single mama to Kaitlyn Logan and Christine
My First Half Marathon!
Pain is nothing compared to what it feels like to quit.
oooh, i didn't like bandana when it came out, but it looks good that color
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Shecki
mom of Zachary, Annaliese, Josiah, Samuel, Brianna, Eli, and Furby
Homeschool picture day 2008
(not pictured are my two school boys)
Great shirt, is that a PRR print I missed?
Thank you!! 
I've only used acid dyes in my f/l so far. 
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