Acid Dye Instructions
How do I dye with Jacquard Acid Dye?
The factors influencing dyeing are temperature, dye concentration, time and amount of fabric. Washing machine dyeing is the easiest way to dye fabrics in one colour.
However, if you want to achieve the most accurate and reproducible results or get the darkest colour, we recommend the cooking pot method.
Use the instructions as a guideline. Acid dyes are quite forgiving and open to variations in approach. The more you experiment the more you will discover!
Tip: you save on dye if you dye in a pot.
Hand dyeing in a cooking pot:
It is the best dye method for wool!
1. Fill a stainless steel or enamel pot with just enough hot or warm water (cool for wool) to allow the fabric to float freely. Turn the heat to medium.
2. Add the dye powder to the pot and stir until dissolved. Use the appropriate amount of dye for the desired shade (see chart underneath - click on the corresponding tab).
3. Wet the fabric thoroughly with warm water and put it in the dye bath.
4. Gradually increase the temperature to 85 ̊- 95 ̊ C, just below boiling point. Stir frequently.
5. Add a quarter cup of vinegar (60ml) per pound of fabric. Alternatively you could add citric acid (1 tablespoon per pound of fabric). Try not to pour the vinegar directly on the fabric.
6. Maintain the temperature and stir frequently for half an hour. Wash the fabric with Synthrapol® or a mild detergent and warm water.
NOTE: When dyeing wool, gradual heating and cooling of the dye bath is important to avoid schock reactions and matting the wool.
Washing machine dyeing:
Not suitable for wool (wool can mat in the washing machine - use the cooking pot method instead).
1. Use the appropriate amount of dye for the desired shade (see chart below - click on the corresponding tab) - between 1 and 6 packs (14,17g) of Acid Dye depending on the colour tone.
2. Dissolve the dye powder completely in hot water.
3. Set the washing machine on the longest wash cycle at a temperature of 85° - 95°C (important: the longer the wash the more intense the colour and the better the fixation)
4. Pour the dye liquor through the washing powder compartment 10 minutes after you have started the machine.
5. Add 1 to 3 cups of white vinegar (depending on water amount) and be careful not to pour the vinegar directly onto the fabric. You can also use 1 tablespoon of citric acid per pound of fabric.
6. To ensure the excess colour is completely removed you should wash the fabric in another cycle with cold water and a little Synthrapol® or mild detergent. Take the fabric out of the machine.
7. Wash a long rinse cycle to clean the machine and remove excess colour.
Good Luck!
Acid Dye amounts for dyeing in the washing machine
Here is a general dye amount chart to give you an idea of how much Acid Dye you should take per colour.
The amounts listed below are for the deepest colour saturation.
For pastels and lighter colours, use less dye. Dye amounts are per pound of fabric (you need less dye for the cooking pot method).
Do not exceed 8 % of dye per pound of dry fabric.
Colour group 1:
7 - 14g of Acid Dye
600 Ecru
601 Yellow Sun
602 Bright Yellow
603 Golden Yellow
605 Pumpkin Orange
607 Salmon
608 Pink
636 Gold Ochre
638 Silver Grey
Colour group 2:
14 - 42g of Acid Dye
604 Burnt Orange
610 Burgundy
620 Hot Fuchsia
627 Kelly Green
628 Chartreuse
633 Aztec Gold
634 Olive
616 Russet
617 Cherry Red
Colour group 3:
42 - 57g of Acid Dye
606 Deep Orange
609 Scarlet
611 Vermillion
612 Lilac
613 Purple
614 Violet
615 Periwinkle
621 Sky Blue
622 Sapphire Blue
623 Brilliant Blue
624 Turquoise
625 Royal Blue
629 Emerald
630 Spruce
631 Teal
637 Gun Metal
Colour group 4:
Up to 85g of Acid Dye
618 Fire Red
632 Chestnut
639 Jet Black
626 Navy Blue
635 Brown