Any way to lighten colour of clothes??

blahn

I'm dyeing some blouses now with Dylon's machine wash (ocean blue), but already I can see the colour is way, way too dark as I thought it would be from the packet. The colour is a really dark blue when I need it light blue or at the very least medium blue due to it being used as schoolwear. It's still dyeing now, but is there anything I can do to lighten the colour in the washing of the clothes immediately following the dyeing? Could I throw in a bunch of white socks or something? Or is there anything I can do when washing it in general to make it lighter? I can only find guides online on how to prevent fading, not induce it.

Thanks.

msmicawber

I don't know if this will help, but I've noticed in the past that items that bleed colour do so more when I use water softening tablets in the wash. Could you try washing the blouses in just water and water softener, then get them out on the line to dry in the sun (if you've got any) to try and fade them a little?

nerdycatlover

Dyeing is a bit of a risky business, as different materials take up dye at different rates.Pure cotton will come out darker. Remember that when the garment is dry it will look lighter. A hot wash in washing powder for whites eg Ariel will fade any colour somewhat, but failing that Dylon do a colour remover, so you could start again, but it would probably be cheaper to buy the colour blouses you want in the first place. Been there, done that,....got the stains to prove it!!!!! Good luck.

Nile

blahn wrote: »

I'm dyeing some blouses now with Dylon's machine wash (ocean blue), but already I can see the colour is way, way too dark as I thought it would be from the packet. The colour is a really dark blue when I need it light blue or at the very least medium blue due to it being used as schoolwear. It's still dyeing now, but is there anything I can do to lighten the colour in the washing of the clothes immediately following the dyeing? Could I throw in a bunch of white socks or something? Or is there anything I can do when washing it in general to make it lighter? I can only find guides online on how to prevent fading, not induce it.

Thanks.

Hello blahn

I'd try soaking the blouses in a bucket, using Persil with the water at the hottest temperature the care label allows.;) Use a stick to regularly stir the water/agitate the blouses and leave in soak for 2 hours. After thorough rinsing and spinning, peg outside on a line to let the sun bleach them further.

Regards

Nile

blahn

Thanks for the help guys. They just finished dyeing and I don't think anything can really save them unfortunately. They're far too dark and vivid for schoolwear and the white stitching shows through all over the shirt which looks quite ridiculous. Really disappointed with the waste of money (of electricity and dye), but oh well. If anyone knows where to get blue cotton blouses in teen sizes, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again.

irenee

......... the white stitching shows through all over the shirt which looks quite ridiculous............

Been there, had that happen!! :mad:

So silly that cotton clothes are stitched with polyester thread - the cotton takes up the dye, while the thread resists it!

Dylon do a 'dye stripper' that might work - at least reduce the colour intensity - but alas the thread will probably still show

RosyRed

I got the Velvet black Dylon to freshen a black shirt that had faded that my son wanted to take away with him.I thought while I was at it I'd put in some greying underwear to give it a new lease of life...ha ha ! It turned out an uneven orangey peach,not what I expected at all- very unpredictable.