Types of Fabric dyes and how to use them

Most of the fabric dyes that I have used offer very vibrant or long-lasting colors. But the fact that I used these dyes doesnot mean that I knew them by name. I didn’t know the specific names of these dyes or the details about using them properly.

Let alone the names, there are other specifics I should have known before I attempted dyeing, like which fabric dye to use for your particular purpose like tie dyeing, dip dyeing, polyester dyeing and the types of fabric that are compatible with specific dyes..Now I know.

And what I know is that different types of dyes are used for dyeing various types of fabrics because each type of dye has specific properties that make it suitable for certain materials.

Fabric dyeing usually happens during the textile production process, as fabric is made. But if you want to change the colour of a garment you already bought or the fabric you already have, you can do it easily at home.

Fabric dyes, the magic ingredient of fabric dyeing is available at shops everywhere. But which dye to buy? Let us checkout the different fabric dyes available.

Types of Fabric Dye

Acid Dyes

This is a water-soluble anionic dye. Colour may run after some washes. It is not used on cotton fabrics. This is a very safe dye to use even at home. 

Acid dyes are used on these fabrics :

Acid dyes are usually used for dyeing protein fabrics wool fabrics, cashmere and silk. Man-made fabrics like polyester, nylon, rayon, acrylic can also be dyed with acid dyes.

Related post: Silk dyeing at home .

Azoic dyes

These are synthetic dyes that are primarily used for dyeing solid colors.

Azoic dyes are used on these fabrics :

This dye is used to dye cotton fabric and even for printing on cotton. It is also used for dyeing silk and wool. Basically it is used for dyeing natural fibers including linen and rayon.

Basic dyes/Catonic dyes

This is an economical synthetic dye that creates vibrant colors. May bleed, and has little colorfastness.

Catonic dyes are used on these fabrics :

It is basically used for dyeing synthetic fibers, especially those made from thermoplastic polymers like polyester, acrylic, acrylic fleece or faux fur.

Disperse dyes

These dyes are specifically designed to bond with synthetic fibers through a process of sublimation

Disperse dyes are used on these fabrics :

This dye is used for dyeing synthetic fabrics like Polyester, Nylon, Acrylic, and acetate. It is long lasting.

Mordant dyes

Dyes with excellent colour adherence. But not as bright as acid dyes.

Mordant dyes are used on these fabrics :

This dye can be used for dyeing fabrics like polyester, nylon, rayon, acrylic wool and silk.

Reactive / Fiber reactive dyes

This is the most preferred dye. It gives nice bright colours which last for a long time – it is renowned for its excellent color retention, washfastness, and lightfastness. It is an expensive dye compared to other dyes.

Fiber reactive dyes are used on these fabrics :

The reactibe dyes are used for dyeing cellulosic fibers, and other plant-based materials – wool, silk, all cellulose fibers, like cotton, rayon, hemp, linen, Tencel, Modal, and bamboo.

Sulfur dyes

Sulfur dyes give mostly dull colors but it is very inexpensive. It is also used for printing.

Sulphur dyes are used on these fabrics :

This is usually used to dye cotton fabrics and other natural & man-made cellulosic fibres. Sulfur dyes give mostly dull colors but it is very inexpensive. It is also used for printing.

Vat dyes

Vat dyeing is the name of the process of dyeing. Vat dyes are insoluble in water (or most other solvents) but they become soluble during the vat-making process, which can be complicated. Colour doesnot wash away fast. Indigo dyeing is an example of vat dyeing.

Vat dyes are used on these fabrics :

Cotton and cellulosic fabrics.

Natural dyes

This refers to dyes derived from plants, invertebrates, or minerals. Most of the natural dyes used are vegetable dyes derived from root, leaves, barks, trunks & fruits.

It is usually used to dye natural fabrics.

Learn more about dyeing fabric with natural dyes here.

Hot water Dyes & Cold water Dyes

Coldwater dyes are used to dye cotton fabrics. A fixing agent (like soda ash) has to be used along with cold water for dyeing. Coldwater dyes do not work well with polyester. Hot water dyes are used to dye natural fabrics as well as synthetics and are used with hot water of temperature 130-150ºF

Selecting the dye

Other than the suitability to the fabric, there are many elements that should be checked when selecting the fabric dye – good fastness to washing and low or no sensitivity to fading when exposed to sunlight or chemicals like bleach. The dyeing should be accomplished without it having any effect on the tensile strength of the fabric.

Related posts : How to create cool tie dye patterns on fabric;  50 different methods to embellish and decorate fabric