Garbage Bag Dyeing with Wool
using PRO MX Reactive Dyes
Please read directions carefully before starting
This process allows you to use the MX Reactive Dyes on wool and other protein fibers.
Keep in mind that some MX colors dye better than others, producing beautiful, but
sometimes unexpected results. Always do test samples before working on a large project.
For additional information, visit our website at www.prochemical.com.
Supplies Procedure
PRO MX Reactive Dye
Synthrapol
Wool Assistant SBS
Citric Acid Crystals or white distilled vinegar
clear household ammonia
1. Wet out the wool. Measure 2½ gallons (10 liters) of warm 110oF
(43oC) water, for each pound (454 gm) of wool, by using ½ tsp (2.5 ml) of
Synthrapol. Soak for 30 minutes. Squeeze out the excess water before adding it to the dye
bath. There is no need to rinse.
2. Make Acid Soak Solution. Choose one of the methods below. Measure the water from the chart below into a large plastic bucket. Dissolve the Citric Acid Crystals or white distilled vinegar in the water. Add the Synthrapol and stir thoroughly.
Method #1 - Citric Acid Crystals |
Method #2 - White Distilled Vinegar |
| 1 gallon (4 liters) 95oF (35oC) water | 2 quarts (2 liters) 95oF (35oC) water |
| 11 Tbl (163 gm) Citric Acid Crystals | 2 quarts (2 liter) white distilled vinegar |
| 2 tsp (10 ml) Synthrapol | 2 tsp (10 ml) Synthrapol |
Soak yarn or fleece in solution for 10 to 15 minutes, with occasional stirring. This soak solution can be kept and reused.
3. Dissolve the dye.
Dissolve the desired amount of dye powder from the chart below, with approximately ¼ cup (60 ml ) water to make a lump free paste. Add water to equal 1 cup (250 ml). Add ½ tsp (1 gm) Wool Dye Assistant SBS to each cup of dye solution.Pale |
Medium |
Dark |
Black |
|
| Dye Powder | ½ tsp (1 gm) | 1¾ tsp (4.5 gm) | 3½ tsp (9 gm) | 10 tsp (25 gm) |
4. Apply the dye solution. While wearing rubber gloves, squeeze out excess acid soak solution and lay yarn or fleece on a sheet of plastic. Apply dye solution with a sponge brush, squeeze bottle, or by dipping yarn or fleece into dye solution. Work dye solution into the yarn or fleece with fingers to insure thorough saturation.
5. Fix the dye. Once the dye solution is applied, lift yarn or fleece carefully and place in black plastic garbage bag. Fold under the open end of the bag and place in an area with direct sun. DO NOT lay bag directly on cold ground, but set it on a slightly elevated platform. Let set a minimum of 4 hours with air temperatures above 50oF (10oC). The longer and warmer the "cure" time, the darker the final color.
6. Rinse well in room temperature water and squeeze out excess water.
7. Make the after soak. Mix 2 Tbl (30 ml) of ammonia in one gallon (4 liters) of room temperature 75o to 95oF (24o to 35oC) water. Wearing rubber gloves, swish your wool around in the ammonia water for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse in room temperature 75o to 95oF (24oC) water.
8. Neutralize the wool. Mix 1 tsp (5 ml) of Acetic Acid 56% or 11 tsp (55 ml) white distilled vinegar in 1 gallon (4 liters) of room temperature 75o to 95oF (24o to 35oC) water. Wearing rubber gloves, swish your wool around in this vinegar water as your final rinse. Squeeze out the excess water and air dry.
Good things to know:
1. It is handy to have a bucket of clear water next to working area to rinse hands between color changes on the yarn or fleece.
2. To achieve a rainbow effect, apply several dye colors, with one or two of them overlapping to produce a third color.
3. Be careful not to apply so much dye that color drips from the yarn or fleece as colors will run together during the setting process.
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