Help with dying jeans

peb

I have two pairs of jeans, sold as black but they are more a dark grey and I've realised that whilst very comfy I have hardly worn them. The blue ones I bought at the same time are nearly worn out.

I have gone down an internet rabbit hole trying to find out if they can be dyed properly black. So much conflicting information depending on materials and I think unrealistic expectations (people trying to dye blue into black).

I'll be honest, if it involves using my best stock pot on the stove it's not going to happen.

Can I just use dylon throw it in the washing machine stuff or is that too simplistic?

Thanks for any advice 😁

elsien

if you’re hardly wearing them then what have you got to lose by trying to chuck them in the washing machine to dye them, as long you follow the instructions.

The only time I’ve tried to hand dye stuff it came out a bit tie-dye.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6652874/help-with-dying-jeans

I've redyed several pairs of faded black jeans and chino fabric shorts back to black using the Dylon all in one machine dye. They generally come out evenly dyed.

I'd err on the generous side with the dye if you're doing a couple of pairs (which helps avoid patchiness) - and I'd use colour catcher sheets when you wash them afterwards.

Definitely weigh your fabric that's a top tip

peb

Th

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81861477#Comment_81861477

Thanks so much. It's really useful knowing dylon worked on jeans for you.

Floss

Dyl9n do a large sachet called Wash & Dye for dying jeans black. It's really good, I've used it a couple of times.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81861592#Comment_81861592

This is the stuff I use, all in one and widely available.

https://amzn.eu/d/aF0cc39

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6652874/help-with-dying-jeans

Classic black jeans will have a black warp and white weft making the outside start off as almost black and the inside a mottled grey. Their advantage is that when they fade/develop wear patterns they tend to be more high contrast but then to those into denim want the fade patterns like:

These were originally black and have naturally worn to this not something made to look worn when manufactured.

If you want them to be black black and stay black then both weft and warp is normally black and a fade resistant dye used. You can certainly used a permanent black dye to overdye them. It won't last forever but just repeat in a year or twos time.

Black over dyed indigo jeans are a look in their own right, normally intentionally done with a non-permanent dye so the wear areas fade to blue rather than grey

peb

Thanks everyone. Looks like a trip to Dunelm.

Brie

Not sure if it still applies but I'd be washing something I don't care about following the dye session in the washer. Basically to help clean up the washing machine before you put your white socks in there.

Floss

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81861884#Comment_81861884

I always put my darkest jeans or towels in after dying anything!

jackieblack

I've dyed multiple pairs of jeans over the years

I've had a couple of pairs where the thread hasn't taken the colour as well as the fabric, and one not at all, but otherwise they've all been fine