Food colors are useful not only for food but are a very good substitute for dyeing clothes. It is an easy as well as very cost-effective way and you can do it on your own at home. If you have a creative mind and especially if you have immense love for textile designing, then this can be a good start for you. It is a very inexpensive yet fun activity to get involved in.

You can choose outdoor spaces or can set up your indoor workspace where you can dye clothes. You can consider gifting your artwork to your friends and family on special occasions and it will be a very unique idea. You set up your workspace with old pieces of towel or clothes. You can also buy new solid clothes and work on them but as you are just starting it is better to use old clothes. 

It is very easy and cost-effective so you can try this at home. Now let’s get started. 

How to dye clothes with food coloring in a single color?

1. Firstly, you have to be careful about the fabric you choose. Since it is a food color and not proper textile color there are chances that it fades away. So it is better to choose wool fabric if you want it permanent or at least to last longer. Silk fabrics, wool, and cashmere can hold the color at their best and it lasts longer in such fabrics because they are mostly protein fibers. You may use cotton fabrics as well but the color will not last that much. 

2. Now you have to lay down the wool fabric and accumulate all the necessary materials together. It is better to use fabrics that you don’t mind discolored. Get a big plastic bowl, water, food colors of your preference, and white vinegar. If you accumulate everything together then you don’t have to search for it while in the process. 

3. At this stage, you have to make a mixture of water and vinegar of 1:1 proportion and then place your clothes into it. You have to place the clothes in the bowl primarily and then keep adding the water and vinegar in equal amounts so that they are easily saturated. The pre-soaked clothes easily accept the dye. If you don’t pre-soak the cloth the color won’t be as vibrant. 

4. When your clothes are pre-soaked it’s time to come to the final stage.  Add 10-15 drops of food color into 710-950ml water and make a mixture. Then place the clothes into the mixture. You can start with a few drops if you are nervous about the color being too dark. 

5. You can mix more than 2 colors to get various shades. You can make purple by mixing red and blue. The mixture of red and yellow will bring out the orange shade. You can experiment with a lot of colors and make it by your choice. After all, this is a very creative job, and you are the creator so it’s always your call. You may need to lighten or darken the shades and for that, you can use white and black food colors. They don’t usually come along with the basic pack but are available separately. 

6. Now you have to wait for 20-30 minutes and let the color sit in the clothes. Then use a long stick to push and stir the cloth. This is important because the cloth has to be fully submerged. Then stir it for some moments to spread the color equally all over the cloth. 

7. Keep the clothes in a bag which is resealable for at least 8 hours. You can keep them for more than 8 hours but not less. 

Summary

It is better to choose wool fabric if you want it permanent or at least to last longer. You have to place the clothes in the bowl primarily and then keep adding the water and vinegar in equal amounts so that they are easily saturated. When your clothes are pre-soaked it’s time to come to the final stage. Then add 10-15 drops of food color into 710-950ml water and make a mixture. Then place the clothes into the mixture. You may need to lighten or darken the shades and for that, you can use white and black food colors. They don’t usually come along with the basic pack but are available separately. Now you have to wait for 20-30 minutes and let the color sit in the clothes. You can use a long metal stick or a spoon to push it down into the water. Keep the clothes in a bag which is resealable for at least 8 hours and it is ready.

Read More: Do Converse Run Big or Small? Buyers Guide