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Don't buy new clothes when they've faded or bleached, re-dye them!

20 replies

Molepom · 24/01/2013 17:50

OMG

It's so cheap and works a treat.

I bought a sweatshirt about a year ago and being my favorite thing to slob about in, also ended up fading quite quick due to the amount of washing it ended up going through, then last night I got bleach on it. I now had my a faded navy sweatshirt with a big red streak from the bleach. Sad

I bought dye today and tried it..Oh my goodness it's only gone and worked and looks as new as the day I bought it as do the 2 very very old and faded blue vests I've had for well over 15 years.

1 pack of dye = less than 2 quid
1 500g pack of salt = 45p

Replacing my fave sweatshirt - over £50.

Put the two in the machine with the clothes, run on 40 degrees.
When that cycle has finished, wash with detergent on 40 degrees then dry clothes.
Run empty machine with detergent just to make sure all dye has gone and everything is all back to normal!

I know this could have gone on any number of money saving threads but I thought this gem deserved a thread of its own.

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OnTheBottomWithAWomansWeekly · 24/01/2013 17:51

I regularly used to re-dye black jeans when I was a student. Saved a fortune.

The empty machine wash afterwards on 90 degrees with a cup of bleach is essential though

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Molepom · 24/01/2013 17:54

I did it before years ago, but never in a million years did I think it would get the bleach out - I was hoping though.

I'm now kicking myself for all the clothes that I've thrown away over the years because they were faded or had come into contact with bleach.

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DieWilde13 · 24/01/2013 17:54

It's brilliant, isn't it?
I had a lot of success dying dyeing? colouring a lot of pink tops, bed sheets and curtains green, orange and brown when ds decided she didn't like pink any more.

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Molepom · 24/01/2013 17:58

I'm seriously considering dying my livingroom curtains now. From cream to red.

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WowOoo · 24/01/2013 18:00

OK.
But, how confident about doing a white boil wash after doing what you suggest?
I'm too scared!
I don't have time for 4 bleachy boil washes..
If I dye it in the bath with the soak stuff am i making life harder for myself?

I put on an outfit yesterday and my black was almost brown it was so faded.i took it off. Great idea if I feel brave.

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WowOoo · 24/01/2013 18:03

When I dyed something with bleach the bleached bit was still lighter than the dyed bit. I can't be arsed if it's not going to work.

I used a Sharpie perma pen on some spots on a black top - a top tip for small bleached out bits..

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SuperLemonCrush · 24/01/2013 18:05

Don't you need to add in the cost of those boil washes!

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BoringSchoolChoiceNickname · 24/01/2013 18:09

I normally save some stuff that doesn't matter and can be washed at 90 to put in with the post-dye boil washes - dishcloths, floor cloths, bath mats etc.. I do like dying in the washing machine, but it's not a panacea, it fades quicker in the sunlight than proper coloured stuff, you won't always cover bleach spots successfully, and of course you need to watch for polyester stitching

Very good for blacks that have gone a bit brown though.

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DieWilde13 · 24/01/2013 21:30

I don't bother with post dye boil washes. Dye, wash dyed stuff, make sure next wash is a dark wash. Never had any problems with this.

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Confuseddd · 24/01/2013 23:18

I've just rediscovered this too. Just dyed some grotty old face flannels and hand towels orange - look brilliant in my bathroom. Also some vests and things. Next I'm going to do a sad old white duvet cover - green or blue I think. Love it!

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PixieHot · 25/01/2013 14:37

I'm going to do this with DH's blazer and my knickers Grin.

Need 1kg of salt though! I didn't know that when I bought the dye.

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doodledoodoo · 25/01/2013 22:01

Where do you buy dye for £2?!

I dye jeans, cotton tops/vests/knickers... Blush

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doodledoodoo · 25/01/2013 22:02

Buy the cheapest supermarket value salt too.

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TinyDiamond · 02/02/2013 00:12

yes where is the dye for £2!? its £5-6 where I am

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Molepom · 03/02/2013 12:29

£2.99 in Wilkinsons. I know it's nearer £3.00 but the 2 was stuck in my head for some reason.

link

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Molepom · 03/02/2013 12:30

Found recipt - it was on offer when I bought it. Hence the "less than 2 quid".

Sorry. £2.99 isn't bad though.

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Molehillmountain · 03/02/2013 12:40

Do towels work out okay? We have lovely quality white towels but they're no longer fairly described as "white"!

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Molepom · 03/02/2013 12:44

I haven't tried towels. I don't see why not though.

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Molehillmountain · 03/02/2013 12:48

Might think of a colour and try it!

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dustyhousewithdustypeople · 03/02/2013 18:56

Towels work brilliantly, as long as there aren't too many in at once.

I am totally addicted to dyeing things, I find it really exciting

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