We ship worldwide
Top customer satisfaction!
Many payment options
Rit All-Purpose Dye - Textile Dye | Black
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Rit All-Purpose Dye: dye natural fibres and nylon yourself, the easy way
A favourite piece in a new colour, a costume in exactly the right shade
or simply a washed-out shirt that should shine again?
With Rit All-Purpose Dye it's child's play.
This liquid all-purpose dye has been one of the most popular fabric dyes in the USA for over 100 years
and colours cotton, linen, viscose, ramie, wool, silk and nylon.
No powder to mix, no mess: shake the bottle, add it to the dye bath, done.
Whether in a bucket, in a pot or conveniently in the washing machine: choose from 40 colours.
At a glance
• Liquid all-purpose fabric dye, 236 ml per bottle
• 40 colours that can be mixed with each other
• Dyes natural fibres, viscose and nylon as well as blends with less than 35 % synthetic fibre
• Three dyeing methods: bucket, pot or washing machine
• Hundreds of mixing recipes for your own shades
Which fabrics is Rit All-Purpose Dye suitable for?
| Fibre | Method | Temperature | Additive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton, linen, ramie | Bucket, pot or washing machine | approx. 60 °C, for strong colours in a pot just below boiling | Salt |
| Viscose | Bucket or pot | approx. 60 °C, max. 80 °C | Salt |
| Polyamide (nylon) | Pot | just below boiling | Vinegar |
| Wool, silk | Pot only | carefully at approx. 80 °C | Vinegar |
• Viscose is very delicate when wet and loses much of its strength. Move it gently, do not wring it and dry it flat, not in the tumble dryer.
• Wool and silk should only be dyed in a pot. Heat slowly, hardly move the fabric and let it cool down slowly in the dye bath. Never dye them in the washing machine.
• Nylon dyes very quickly and darkly. Keep the dyeing time short.
• Blends: for example cotton with polyester, if they contain less than 35 % synthetic fibre. The synthetic part stays lighter.
• Salt: we recommend PATIN-A dye salt. Any table salt without iodine also works.
What is Rit All-Purpose Dye not suitable for?
• Polyester, acrylic and acetate and blends with more than 35 % of these fibres. For these, use Rit DyeMore.
• Coated or water-repellent fabrics. The coating does not let the dye into the fibre.
• Fabrics with bleach or sun damage. The colour may turn out uneven.
Typical uses
Whether shirt, dress or tablecloth: with Rit All-Purpose Dye you can dye cotton and linen costumes, shirts, blouses, jeans, dresses, silk or viscose scarves, nylon tights and jackets, bed linen, towels, curtains made of natural fibres and nylon 3D prints.
Tip for professionals: For series and important costume pieces, always dye a test piece first. Fibre content and weight change the shade.
Mix your own beautiful shades
Rit offers a special colour mixing service: the Color Formulas. These are hundreds of colour swatches in all kinds of shades.
Click on the colour you want. You will then see which Rit colours you need and in what quantities. You can even select what you want to dye and get the exact amount of dye and water.
Click here for the Color Formulas.
How much dye do I need?
Weigh the dry item on a kitchen scale or estimate its weight. Then use these guide values:
• Shade as on the bottle: 1 bottle is enough for approx. 900 g to 1 kg of fabric.
• Strong or dark shades: 1 bottle for approx. 450 g of fabric, so double the amount.
• Soft pastel shades: use less dye accordingly.
| Item | Approx. weight | Shade as bottle | Strong or dark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blouse, top | 150 g | 1 bottle | 1 bottle |
| T-shirt | 200 g | 1 bottle | 1 bottle |
| Dress | 400 g | 1 bottle | 1 bottle |
| Jeans | 600 g | 1 bottle | 2 bottles |
| 1 m of cotton fabric | 170 g | 1 bottle | 1 bottle |
| 1 kg of fabric | 1000 g | 1 bottle | 3 bottles |
Leftover dye keeps well in the closed bottle and can be used next time.
The care label says my garment may only be washed at 30 °C. Can I still dye it?
For cotton, linen and nylon, usually yes. Care labels are often very cautious. Don't worry, dyeing in a pot is really easy.
With these fibres, shrinking is caused more by high spin speeds and the tumble dryer than by hot water.
Take care with:
• Wool: it felts and shrinks when heat, movement and temperature changes come together. So only dye wool in a pot, carefully at approx. 80 °C.
• Silk: also dye silk only in a pot at approx. 80 °C and without strong rubbing.
• Viscose: it is delicate when wet and can shrink at high heat. Dye viscose at approx. 60 °C, max. 80 °C.
• Elastane (stretch content): the fabric can lose its elasticity.
• Elastic bands, bonded seams and coatings: they can come loose.
If in doubt, first dye a piece in a hidden place, for example the hem allowance.
Dyeing in the washing machine?
It's the most convenient way to dye: sit back, relax and let the machine do the work. Ideal for large items such as cotton bed linen or curtains.
Never dyed in a washing machine before and a little nervous? We understand. Who wants a purple washing machine? Well, maybe we do ;-)
But we promise: Rit leaves no permanent stains on the metal parts. Rit has been used in washing machines since the 1950s and in the early 60s even coined the slogan "Push Button Color!".
Very important: after dyeing, clean all plastic parts such as seals and the detergent drawer. Wool and silk do not belong in the washing machine.
How long does the colour last?
Without a fixative, the colour bleeds out of natural fibres when washed. All natural fibres and blends should therefore be fixed with Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative after dyeing and before washing. Nylon does not need to be fixed.
Wash dyed items separately and at a low temperature for the first few washes.
Liquid, powder or professional size?
• Rit All-Purpose Dye liquid (this product): 40 colours, ready to use, ideal for bucket and washing machine.
• Rit All-Purpose Dye powder: the same dye as a powder in 18 colours, especially affordable.
• Rit ProLine: powder in professional size for theatre, film and large quantities.
• Rit DyeMore: for polyester, acrylic and acetate.
Dyeing instructions
You will find detailed instructions for bucket, pot and washing machine in the "Instructions" tab or here: Rit All-Purpose Dye instructions
Our recommendation
• When dyeing in a bucket or pot, add 1 teaspoon of Synthrapol or washing-up liquid to the dye bath. This helps the colour to take evenly.
• Always wear rubber gloves when dyeing. They protect your skin from dye and heat.
Safety information
For all colours: avoid contact with skin and eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection. Make sure the room is well ventilated. Do not eat, drink or smoke. Wash your hands after work. Keep out of the reach of children.
Warning. May cause an allergic skin reaction. According to the manufacturer's safety data sheet, this applies to all colours except Neon Yellow, Petal Pink, Fuchsia, Cherry Red, Neon Green, Aquamarine, Royal Blue, Navy Blue, Canyon, Pearl Grey, Charcoal Grey and Black.
Avoid breathing vapours or mist. Wear protective gloves, protective clothing and eye protection. If on skin: wash with plenty of soap and water. Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse. If skin irritation or rash occurs: get medical advice. Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
Contents
• 236 ml liquid fabric dye
• Sales unit: 1 piece
Rit All-Purpose Dye: Dyeing instructions
These instructions apply to Rit All-Purpose Dye as a liquid in the bottle and as a powder in the sachet. 1 bottle equals 2 sachets of powder.
Whether shirt or curtain: the first step is the right dye for your fabric. Check the care label to see which fibres it is made of.
Rit All-Purpose Dye colours cotton, linen, viscose, ramie, wool, silk and nylon. If your garment contains more than 35 % polyester, acrylic or acetate, use Rit DyeMore instead.
Important notes
Colour: if your garment is white or off-white, you will get the true shade. If it already has a colour, the new dye mixes with the old one. You will find more about this in the "FAQ" tab.
Patterns and logos: the new dye mixes with the existing colours. This creates new shades.
Bleach stains and sun damage: sun and bleach damage the fabric. We therefore cannot guarantee that such stains will disappear after dyeing.
Wool and silk: dye wool and silk only in a pot, carefully at approx. 80 °C. Heat slowly, hardly move the fabric and let it cool down slowly in the dye bath. Rinse in lukewarm water, never straight in cold water. Never dye wool and silk in the washing machine.
Viscose: wet viscose is very delicate. Dye it at approx. 60 °C, max. 80 °C. Move it gently, do not wring it and dry it flat.
Which dyeing method is right?
• Bucket or sink: for cotton, linen, viscose and ramie.
• Pot: for especially bright colours, for nylon and as the only method for wool and silk.
• Washing machine: for large items made of cotton or linen and the most convenient method.
1. Dyeing in a bucket or sink
You need:
• Rit All-Purpose Dye (bottle or sachet)
• Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative (recommended)
• Measuring cup and large spoon
• Plastic container or stainless steel sink
• Kitchen paper
• Rubber gloves
• Dye salt or table salt (for cotton, linen, viscose and ramie)
• Washing-up liquid or Synthrapol
How to dye:
1. Weigh the dry item to work out the amount of dye. You will find the quantity table in the description. If in doubt, dye a test piece first.
2. Remove visible stains. Prewash the item in warm soapy water without fabric softener. This removes finishes that stop the dye from taking.
3. Cover the work area with plastic sheeting and keep kitchen paper ready.
4. Wear rubber gloves. They protect against dye and hot water.
5. Fill the container with enough water for the fabric to move freely. Allow about 20 litres per kilogram of fabric. The water should be about 60 °C. If your tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove.
6. Add 250 g of salt to intensify the colour.
7. Add 1 teaspoon of Synthrapol or washing-up liquid. This helps the colour to take evenly.
8. Liquid dye: shake the bottle well. Powder: first dissolve the powder completely in approx. 500 ml of very hot water. Add the dye to the dye bath and stir well.
9. Test the shade with a piece of kitchen paper. If it is too light, add more dye. If it is too dark, add more water.
10. Wet the fabric, squeeze it out and place it in the dye bath.
11. Stir slowly and constantly. The first 10 minutes are the most important. Stirring makes the colour even and free of spots. Move viscose only gently.
12. Leave the fabric in the dye bath for 10 to 60 minutes.
13. When you have reached the shade you want, take the fabric out. Wet fabric looks darker than dry fabric.
14. Now, before washing, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative according to the instructions. It intensifies the colour and reduces bleeding.
15. Rinse in cool water until the water runs clear.
16. Wash the fabric in warm water with a mild detergent, for example Synthrapol. Then rinse and dry.
2. Dyeing in a pot
You need: the same things as for the bucket, plus a stainless steel pot, kitchen tongs and vinegar (for nylon, wool and silk).
How to dye:
1. Prepare everything as for the bucket method (steps 1 to 4).
2. Fill the pot with enough water for the fabric to move freely. Allow about 20 litres per kilogram of fabric.
3. Add 250 g of salt for cotton, linen, viscose or ramie, or 250 ml of vinegar for nylon, wool or silk. Also add 1 teaspoon of Synthrapol or washing-up liquid.
4. Cover the pot and heat the water: just below boiling (approx. 93 °C) for cotton, linen and nylon, approx. 80 °C for wool, silk and viscose. The water must not boil vigorously.
5. Add the well-shaken liquid dye or the dissolved powder to the hot water and stir well.
6. Test the shade with a piece of kitchen paper.
7. Wet the fabric, squeeze it out and place it in the dye bath. Put wool and silk in carefully while lukewarm and heat them up slowly with the bath.
8. Keep the temperature up during the whole dyeing process.
9. Stir cotton, linen and nylon slowly and constantly. Move wool, silk and viscose only gently.
10. Leave the fabric in the dye bath for 10 to 60 minutes. Nylon dyes very quickly and darkly and needs less time.
11. When you have reached the shade you want, take cotton, linen and nylon out with the tongs. Let wool and silk cool down slowly in the dye bath.
12. Fix natural fibres with Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative. Nylon does not need to be fixed.
13. Rinse cotton, linen and nylon in cool water, wool, silk and viscose in lukewarm water, until the water runs clear.
14. Wash as for the bucket method (step 16).
3. Dyeing in the washing machine
You need:
• Rit All-Purpose Dye (bottle or sachet)
• Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative (recommended)
• Washing machine
• Dye salt or table salt (for cotton and linen)
• Mild detergent or Synthrapol
Please note: the dye can stain plastic parts of the machine if it is not removed immediately. So clean the machine right after dyeing (see below). Wool and silk do not belong in the washing machine.
Dye quantities for front loaders:
Only fill the drum to one third, for example 1.5 kg of items in a 4.5 kg drum. For very strong colours, double the amount of dye. 1 bottle equals 2 sachets of powder.
• XS (gloves, underwear, socks, scarves, T-shirts, blouses, shirts, waistcoats, pillowcases, place mats): ¼ to ½ bottle
• S (jeans, trousers, dress, skirt, uniform, sweatshirt, tablecloth, duster coat, canvas tote bag): ½ to 1 bottle
• M (tracksuit, cotton jumper, bathrobe, denim jacket, bath mat without rubber): 1 to 2 bottles
• L (curtains, 4 towels with flannels, sheet with 2 duvet covers): 2 to 3 bottles
How to dye:
1. Remove visible stains. Prewash the item in warm soapy water without fabric softener.
2. Wet the fabric and put it in the washing machine.
3. Select the highest temperature, at least 60 °C, and a wash cycle of at least 30 minutes. The longer the fabric stays in the dye, the darker it becomes.
4. Put on rubber gloves. Mix the well-shaken liquid dye or the powder with 1 litre of hot water and stir until everything has dissolved.
5. In a second container, dissolve 250 g of salt in 1 litre of very hot water.
6. Put 5 ml of washing-up liquid in the detergent drawer. This helps the colour to take evenly.
7. Start the wash cycle.
8. Carefully pour the dye solution into the detergent drawer. Immediately afterwards, pour in the salt solution. Rinse the drawer with 1 litre of hot water.
9. Right after dyeing and before washing, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative according to the instructions.
10. Wash the fabric again in warm water with a mild detergent.
Cleaning the washing machine:
Don't worry: no permanent stains remain on the metal parts of your machine. But wipe all stained plastic parts immediately with a household cleaner. Take out the detergent drawer and clean it thoroughly. Then run a hot wash with heavy-duty detergent and a few old towels. Two washes with dark laundry are usually enough too.
Good luck!
Rit Dye: Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting
These questions apply to Rit All-Purpose Dye and Rit DyeMore. Where the two dyes differ, this is stated.
Which Rit dye for which fabric?
• Rit All-Purpose Dye: for cotton, linen, silk, wool, viscose (rayon), ramie and nylon
• Rit DyeMore: for polyester, nylon, acrylic, acetate and blends with at least 35 % synthetic fibre
• Rit ProLine: professional powder for almost all fibres, including polyester, acrylic and acetate as well as mixed costumes made of natural and synthetic fibres
Questions about colours
Can I dye coloured or printed fabrics?
Yes. This is called overdyeing. If the fabric is light and plain, you can simply dye it darker. With patterns and logos, the new dye mixes with the existing colours. An example: pink flowers on a white background turn purple with blue dye, and the rest turns blue. Even with a dark dye, the pattern can show through a little lighter.
Can I change the colour completely, for example from purple to blue?
With natural fibres, yes: first remove the colour, then dye the fabric again. With synthetic fibres, removing the colour usually does not work. Here you can only overdye darker.
Why should I add a second dye when overdyeing with black or Graphite?
The dyes are made for white or light fabrics. On a coloured fabric, the old colour can show through. A counter colour helps. An example: if you dye a red fabric black, add some green. Red and green together make almost black.
Can I dye a black garment white?
There is no white dye. With natural fibres, however, you can remove the colour with a colour remover. The fabric then turns white or cream. With synthetic fibres, the colour unfortunately cannot be removed.
How do I get rich, dark colours such as black or navy?
The three most important points: dye on the stove. Double the amount of dye. And with natural fibres, use a dye fixative after dyeing.
Are there mixing recipes for more shades?
Yes. Rit offers hundreds of mixing recipes. You will find them in the "Interactive colour chart" tab.
Questions about dyeing
How much dye do I need?
This depends on the weight of the dry fabric. Weigh it on a kitchen scale. For large items such as bed linen or curtains, stand on the bathroom scale with the item and subtract your own weight.
• Rit All-Purpose Dye: half a bottle (approx. 120 ml) or one packet of powder dyes approx. 450 g of fabric. That is about two large T-shirts. For dark colours, use double the amount.
• Rit DyeMore: see the quantity table in the product description.
What temperature does the dye bath need?
Rit loves hot water. The heat opens up the fibres so that they take up the dye.
• Rit All-Purpose Dye for natural fibres: 60 to 71 °C. If your tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove.
• Rit DyeMore for synthetic fibres: nylon from approx. 80 °C, polyester at least 93 °C. For this you must dye on the stove.
How long should the fabric stay in the dye bath?
For the shade on the bottle: 30 to 60 minutes, stirring constantly. For lighter shades: 10 to 20 minutes. Polyester and polyester blends need at least 30 minutes, even if the shade is reached sooner. Nylon dyes very quickly and darkly. Remember: wet fabric looks darker than dry fabric.
How do I get an even colour?
The dye bath must be large enough for the fabric to move freely. If the fabric is too crowded, you get spots or light and dark areas. Stir constantly.
How can I test the shade first?
Best with a scrap of fabric from the same garment. With Rit All-Purpose Dye, a piece of kitchen paper also works, as it reacts much like cotton. With Rit DyeMore, first heat the dye bath almost to boiling, then leave the fabric scrap in it for 5 minutes. Kitchen paper does not give an accurate result with synthetic fibres.
If the colour is too light, add more dye, ¼ to 1 teaspoon at a time. If it is too dark, add hot water, 1 to 2 cups at a time.
Do I need to wash the fabric before dyeing?
Yes, whether it is new or old. Washing in warm soapy water removes finishes that stop the dye from taking.
There are small dye spots on my fabric. Why?
There are usually three causes: the dye powder was not fully dissolved. The dye was poured directly onto the fabric instead of into the water. Or the fabric was not stirred enough. With natural fibres, you can remove the colour and dye again. With synthetic fibres, you can only overdye with a darker colour.
How do I reduce colour bleeding?
For cotton, linen, silk, wool, ramie or viscose, use a dye fixative right after dyeing, before rinsing. For all other fibres, rinse in warm, then gradually cooler water until the water runs clear.
I dyed in the washing machine and the colour is uneven. Why?
Usually there was too much fabric and too little water in the machine, or the fabric got twisted. Do not dye very large items or many items at once in the machine. Rit DyeMore does not belong in the washing machine at all.
Which salt should I use?
You only need salt with Rit All-Purpose Dye, not with Rit DyeMore. We recommend PATIN-A dyeing salt. Any table salt without iodine also works.
Which pot is best for dyeing on the stove?
A stainless steel or enamel pot is best. Aluminium can be attacked by the salt. Use an old pot for this. It is best to keep dyeing pots separate from cooking pots. Rit is not a food dye.
Which container is best for dyeing in a sink or bucket?
A plastic container that may become stained, a glass container or a stainless steel sink. Porcelain or plastic bathroom basins are not suitable. The container must be large enough for the fabric to move freely.
How do I remove dye from pots and containers?
With a household cleaner containing bleach. Clean right after dyeing.
Will Rit stain my washing machine?
No permanent stains remain on the metal parts. However, wipe plastic parts such as seals and the detergent drawer with a cleaner right after dyeing. Then run a hot wash with heavy-duty detergent and a few old towels. Two washes with dark laundry are usually enough too. Rit DyeMore stains plastic parts more strongly and therefore does not belong in the washing machine.
How do I get dye off my skin?
It is best to wear gloves from the start. Some colours can cause an allergic skin reaction. If dye does get on your skin, wash it off immediately with plenty of soap and water. A body scrub or sugar mixed with hand cream helps with stubborn traces.
Why do my dyed curtains fade so quickly?
Direct sunlight makes any dyeing fade faster. For curtains made of natural fibres, a dye fixative after dyeing helps. Curtain manufacturers often use especially light fast dyes and finishes. These are also very hard to remove.
Can I also dye wood with Rit?
Yes, untreated wood can be stained with Rit. If you lighten the wood first with a colour remover, the colours look clearer.
The interactive colour chart for Rit All-Purpose Dye or Rit DyeMore for synthetic fibres
(Please be patient if it does not load quickly.)
Manufacturer:
Nakoma Products LLC (Rit® brand)
8455 S. 77th Avenue
Bridgeview, IL 60455
USA
cs@preval.com
Responsible person in the EU (importer):
PATIN-A SHOP GmbH
Rudolfstraße 1 bis 8
10245 Berlin
Germany
support@patin-a.de
Login
6 reviews
9 February 2026 10:17
Ravie
Les couleurs sont magnifiques et les explications d'utilisation très bien faites, je recommande!
3 December 2025 11:32
Top ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ich habe viel Spaß an diesem neuen Hobby.
27 December 2024 19:47
PARFAIT
TEINTURE D UN MANTEAU EN POLYAMIDE NOIR QUI AVAIT PERDU DE LA COULEUR A CERTAINS ENDROITS. TEINTURE FAITE EN MACHINE . SORTI DE LA MACHINE COMME NEUF.
27 December 2024 19:39
Tolle Auswahl, schnell geliefert
Selbst im Weihnachtsstress kamen die bestellten Färbemittel super schnell an. Beiliegend war ein QR-Code, der direkt zur Anleitung auf der Website führte - sehr hilfreich! War rundum zufrieden und werde dort sicher wieder bestellen.
11 May 2024 13:54
Einwandfrei! Danke!
Der Shop ist gut strukturiert, hier finde ich auch, wie ich die Farbe anwenden muss, die ich gekauft habe.
Außerdem habe ich mir noch nützliches Nähzubehör gekauft. ja... der Shop hat verschiedene Angebote, die mich ansprechen.
Das Paket war wieder gut gepackt, nichts ist ausgelaufen. Die Farbe war auch in zusätzlichen Plastiktüten verpackt.
Sinnvoll, sollte der Versender doch so mit der Sendung umgehen, dass eine Flasche platzt... man weiß ja nie...
Danke für die Süßigkeiten, eine nette Geste. Schnell ging es übrigens auch mit der Sendung.
Also... ich bin rundum zufrieden und habe den Shop "gebookmarkt".
Habe übrigens zum zweiten Mal hier bestellt und werde dem Produkt "Rit" treu bleiben beim Färben.
16 November 2023 08:01
Schneller Versand - super Textilfarbe
Die Auswahl im Shop und die genauen Erläuterungen und Tipps zum Vorgehen fand ich Klasse.
Tatsächlich waren das die Gründe warum ich bereits zum zweiten Mal hier bestellt habe.
Toll auch, wie schnell der Versand erfolgte.
Accessories
Content: 0.236 Litre (€33.69* / 1 Litre)
Content: 0.234 Litre (€55.34* / 1 Litre)
Similar Products
Content: 0.207 Litre (€38.41* / 1 Litre)
Content: 2.268 Kilogram (€66.12* / 1 Kilogram)
Content: 39.8 Gram (€0.11* / 1 Gram)
Content: 0.0284 Kilogram (€174.30* / 1 Kilogram)
Customer Also Bought
Content: 39.8 Gram (€0.11* / 1 Gram)
Content: 0.2 Kilogram (€39.75* / 1 Kilogram)
Content: 0.2 Kilogram (€39.75* / 1 Kilogram)
Content: 0.2 Kilogram (€39.75* / 1 Kilogram)
Content: 0.236 Litre (€84.53* / 1 Litre)
Content: 0.236 Litre (€84.53* / 1 Litre)
Content: 0.067 Litre (€103.73* / 1 Litre)
Content: 1000 Piece (€0.04* / 1 Piece)
Content: 0.019 Kilogram (€286.84* / 1 Kilogram)