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Does it ever work? (Moderated by Deepika, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 11/4/21 4:06 PM ET
I have a pair of RTW navy trousers, a cotton / elastane mix. They have faded and just look worn out and tired, even though they have plenty of wear left in them, if you know what I mean.
I figured I could just buy some navy dye to revive them. But a Dylon pack that has everything you need costs £9.99! They only cost £45 full price, so it doesn't really seem worth it, unless they will look Brand New again, which I doubt.
Has anyone tried this? What was your experience? I love these trousers and would like to save them from landfill and get more use from them if I can. But I don't want to spend £10 a still end up with a pair of trousers I can't wear out the house
I figured I could just buy some navy dye to revive them. But a Dylon pack that has everything you need costs £9.99! They only cost £45 full price, so it doesn't really seem worth it, unless they will look Brand New again, which I doubt.
Has anyone tried this? What was your experience? I love these trousers and would like to save them from landfill and get more use from them if I can. But I don't want to spend £10 a still end up with a pair of trousers I can't wear out the house
Posted on: 11/4/21 4:26 PM ET
In reply to 9dcx
If you will enjoy wearing them for even one season, then, yes, they’re worth it. Keep in mind that you’ll have to be mindful of what they’re laundered with forever after because home dyed items bleed a little - less with each washing, but always some. You probably have plenty of items to launder with these trousers - dark blues, black, dark greens, some light blues that could use a little color refreshing, and any items that will be just fine with a little bluing.
I know several examples of people doing this repeatedly for years and always being pleased with the results.
Here’s a link to a couple of examples of my own experience that I posted before to Alpine Queen.
-- Edited on 11/4/21 at 4:33 PM ET --
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I know several examples of people doing this repeatedly for years and always being pleased with the results.
Here’s a link to a couple of examples of my own experience that I posted before to Alpine Queen.
-- Edited on 11/4/21 at 4:33 PM ET --
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Life is one fool thing after another. Love is two fool things after each other.
Posted on: 11/4/21 4:40 PM ET
If you love the trousers it's worth it. You may do this already, but I turn all dark clothes inside out to wash. It preserves the colour longer.
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Sewing keeps me sane.
My herd includes a Singer Sewhandy, Bernina Artista 180, vintage Bernina 830 Record, Pfaff 794 serger, Juki 634D, Babylock BLCS2, Singer Slant Needle 403 from my grandmother, a Husqvarna 6570, a Viking Quilt Designer SE and my latest bargain Janome MC 10000.
My herd includes a Singer Sewhandy, Bernina Artista 180, vintage Bernina 830 Record, Pfaff 794 serger, Juki 634D, Babylock BLCS2, Singer Slant Needle 403 from my grandmother, a Husqvarna 6570, a Viking Quilt Designer SE and my latest bargain Janome MC 10000.
Posted on: 11/4/21 4:45 PM ET
In reply to 9dcx
In my experience, no, they win't look new,. At best, "newer", but not brand new.
Is the issue a sort of frosty appearance? If so, can you get a "better for dark colors" detergent in Britain? Some of them use cellulase to nip off the tiny fibrils that untwist out of cotton yarns in the wash and do away with the sort of velvety or peach skin texture that develops. If the remaining navy blue dye under the fuzz hasn't washed out, once the fuzz has been hydrolyzed by the cellulase, they'll look much darker.
Is the issue a sort of frosty appearance? If so, can you get a "better for dark colors" detergent in Britain? Some of them use cellulase to nip off the tiny fibrils that untwist out of cotton yarns in the wash and do away with the sort of velvety or peach skin texture that develops. If the remaining navy blue dye under the fuzz hasn't washed out, once the fuzz has been hydrolyzed by the cellulase, they'll look much darker.
Posted on: 11/4/21 4:57 PM ET
Hi 9dcx,
I have done this with some black RTW jeans, which are made from cotton/lycra(elastane). It worked well, but didn't last as long as the orignal dye before fading a bit (but not as much as previously). My dh dyed his Land's End chino type trousers (so 100% cotton) a dark teal colour, and that worked exceptionally well, they looked brand new and they haven't faded at all since then, even though have had numerous washings. So I suppose how well the dye takes depend on the quality of the fabric being dyed in the first place (as my jeans were fairly cheap denim).
We used the dylon machine dye which is an all in dye (salt, fixative etc all in one), which you just bung in your normal washing machine. Not sure which version you are thinking of using, as the Dylon machine dye only costs £5.00 from John Lewis, Amazon, Wilko, Tesco, etc. Personally I think its worth spending £5 to get another one or two year's wear out of my trousers, and like you say keeping them out of landfill.
We were a bit worried about the dye sticking in the washing machine and then transferring to light coloured items, but as long as you are careful to do the recommended hot wash afterwards to thoroughly clean the machine, we haven't had any problems.
I have done this with some black RTW jeans, which are made from cotton/lycra(elastane). It worked well, but didn't last as long as the orignal dye before fading a bit (but not as much as previously). My dh dyed his Land's End chino type trousers (so 100% cotton) a dark teal colour, and that worked exceptionally well, they looked brand new and they haven't faded at all since then, even though have had numerous washings. So I suppose how well the dye takes depend on the quality of the fabric being dyed in the first place (as my jeans were fairly cheap denim).
We used the dylon machine dye which is an all in dye (salt, fixative etc all in one), which you just bung in your normal washing machine. Not sure which version you are thinking of using, as the Dylon machine dye only costs £5.00 from John Lewis, Amazon, Wilko, Tesco, etc. Personally I think its worth spending £5 to get another one or two year's wear out of my trousers, and like you say keeping them out of landfill.
We were a bit worried about the dye sticking in the washing machine and then transferring to light coloured items, but as long as you are careful to do the recommended hot wash afterwards to thoroughly clean the machine, we haven't had any problems.
Posted on: 11/4/21 5:47 PM ET
In reply to Usta B
Thank you for sharing your experiences - very helpful! Also the tip about being mindful what I wash them with afterwards, I would not have thought of that but can see how important it is.
Posted on: 11/4/21 5:48 PM ET
In reply to Lynn Scott
Thank you, I don’t do that except with jeans, but I will from now on!
Posted on: 11/4/21 5:51 PM ET
In reply to kayl
You can buy such detergent, but, being me, I had always thought it was all marketing no real difference
I should give it a go - they are only a couple of years old though they have been washed a lot. Thank you
I should give it a go - they are only a couple of years old though they have been washed a lot. Thank you
Posted on: 11/4/21 5:53 PM ET
In reply to Marie67
Thanks so much both for the reassurance and the tip off that £10 is a rip off! I was looking on Minerva, I’m shocked to see the same product at John Lewis for only £5.50
It’s definitely worth doing for a fiver. I’ll pick some up next time I, at JL or wilko. Thank you again.
It’s definitely worth doing for a fiver. I’ll pick some up next time I, at JL or wilko. Thank you again.
Posted on: 11/4/21 6:01 PM ET
In reply to 9dcx
It seems to work best if the cellulase detergents are used from the start, but I understand a couple of good soaks and washes can improve "frosting" quite a bit.
Me, I rarely buy dark solids... I go for end-on-end, tiny checks, medium colors.
Me, I rarely buy dark solids... I go for end-on-end, tiny checks, medium colors.
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