Ice Dying

This technique of dying fabric yields most spectacular results, yet it is so simple and there is very little labor invested.  The hard part is waiting to see the magic!

Here’s how:

Material List:

Silk, wool, cotton, linen or any other natural cellulose or protein (animal) fabric

A supply of two or more colors of procion fiber reactive dyes

Soda ash
synthrapol or dawn dish soap

1 lg plastic storage bin or box of some type

1 shallow plastic container such as a dish pan

Any type of metal or plastic rack that will cover the top of the small container

Rubber gloves

Dust mask

Apron or very old clothes

Do this outside!

1.  Prewash you fabric in warm to hot water with synthrapol or dawn dish soap and rinse.  Do not add fabric softener to to the rinse water

2.   Soak you fabric in a solution of ½ cup soda ash(used for raising ph from the pool supply venders)

3.    Set  up some type of  container  with a rack on top (I’ve used plastic food storage containers with cheap cooling racks purchased at the Dollar Tree)  Put it inside some type of box to use as a baffle to prevent dye powder from  being carried by  drafts . (Here I’ve used a lg plastic storage bin.)

1.   Soak you fabric in a solution of ½ cup soda ash(used for raising ph from the pool supply venders)

2.       Set  up some type of  container  with a rack on top (I’ve used plastic food storage containers with cheap cooling racks purchased at the Dollar Tree)  Put it inside some type of box to use as a baffle to prevent dye powder from  being carried by  drafts . (Here I’ve used a lg plastic storage bin.)

4.   Pile ice on top of the fabric.

5.       Sprinkle dye powders on top of the ice.  (Wear your rubber gloves and A DUST MASK!)

6.   Leave it and let the ice melt.  You may want to cover the whole thing with a drop cloth, or a plastic to keep out pets or wild life. 

7.   After the ice has melted keep covered with black plastic in the sun to keep it warm and let it cure for 24 hrs for the best results to insure colorfastness.      

8.    Put on your rubber gloves rinse the cloth in cold water.  Then wash in hot or warm water with synthrapol or dawn dish soap. You may have to do this more than once to remove all of the unbound dye. Launder the cloth in your usual manner and as appropriate for the type of fabric  you have chosen.

9.   Admire your "work!"