How to dye fabric gray
Learn how to dye fabric the easy way!
I began a huge DIY project for which I needed several yards of gray fabric. I love to find uses for things I already own whenever possible.
In this case, I didn’t have any gray fabric, but I did have four white curtain panels I wasn’t using.
So I started researching, learning how to dye fabric gray.
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I originally assumed that I would just use a smaller amount of black dye to make gray.
But in my research I found that others said using black dye just turned their items purple or black – not a beautiful gray.
So black dye was out – I needed a gray dye.
I saw several sites that recommended using iDye in Silver Grey.
Unfortunately, that was not available at any of my local stores and I was impatient, so instead, I bought Rit dye in pearl gray.
I carefully followed the directions on the package for dyeing using a top-loading washer.
It wasn’t too difficult – you have to mix the dye with hot water in a bucket and then add it to the washer.
Then I very anxiously waited for the washer to do its thing so I could see the results.
Finally, I opened the washer to see my curtains all very evenly dyed – a light grayish-blue.
A lovely color but not so much what I was going for. And certainly not the color on the box. Massive fail.
So I decided to give it one more try using the recommended dye – iDye in Silver Grey.
I had to order it online and I ended up getting the best price on eBay.
Which meant I had to wait several days before dyeing attempt numero dos.
Again, I carefully followed the directions for dyeing in my top-loading washer which incidentally was much simpler than the RIT dye.
You just throw the little dye pack straight into the washer. No messy pre-mixing.
And after much waiting, I opened the washer to reveal a mound of beautiful deep gray fabric. Success!
I was so happy with the results that I used my one remaining packet of iDye to dye a duvet cover and some pillow shams that had been languishing in my basement laundry area.
They started out a crisp white but sadly had become yellowed and stained.
After dyeing my curtains, I saw them (still) sitting there next to the washer and thought, hey it’s worth a try.
And it worked like a charm! They came out beautifully. They honestly look much prettier than before when they were all white.
The striped detail is sewn with a synthetic thread so it did not hold the dye but remained white, making the whole thing look crisp and gorgeous.
So there you have it. Dyeing success! This opens a whole new world of possibilities and I will definitely be dyeing more fabric in the future.
What about you? Have you tried dyeing fabric before? How did it work out for you?
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I really like that shade of grade – it’s beautiful on the bedspreads. I’ve dyed yarn and wool for spinning before and always made a mess (stained my moms granite counter top pink!!)
Carrie,
I am so glad I found this post. I was struggling trying to recreate Pennywise for my Halloween costume. I now feel confident that I will be able to dye all my white items to the perfect grey!! Whoop! So excited now.
It turned out beautiful!! Megan
I have never dyed fabric, but yours turned out gorgeous!
On your recommendation, I’ve just now purchased through Amazon.com a packet of iDye Silver Gray to color a couple of old dresses for the Gray Lady (from Harry Potter) costume and my costume for a production of Ragtime this November in Flushing, NY. I hope that the dresses turn out well! (I’ll dye the theatrical costume first, since that one’s appearance is more important.) Thanks for the tip!
This is such a helpful post! I recently bought some gray fabric online to make an upholstered headboard, but I don’t like the hue of the gray (kinda like your first take) — it’s a bit too blue for me. I think I might try using the silver gray on it. Hopefully that will darken it up a bit.
I’m looking to dye my old curtains gray but they aren’t white. They are almost a burgandy red. Will they still turn out gray like yours or will I have to use a different approach?
I doubt they will turn out the same gray if they are red to begin with. It will darken them but the red will most likely come through.
I too want to dye a orange red curtains dark grey or black. . Any tips?
I don’t have specific tips for dying orange curtains black other than just go for it! I would double check that they are cotton or another natural fabric – if not you will need a special synthetic dye.
Thank you so much!!! I had no idea where to start. After reading about what you did I was totally sold on the silver gray. I just painted my room a light yellow and it looks amazing with the old curtain dyed gray! It was so much cheaper then buying a new curtain I even dyed some sheets gray to match:)Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!
I had a similar problem with the Rit pearl grey not being true to color, and I think I figured out why. I googled the problem and this post was one of the first results, so I just wanted to post here in case anyone else comes across this the same way.
I dyed 4 cotton onesies using the bucket method and our hottest tap water (probably 140 degrees or so). I had used half the packet of powder dye and 1.5 gallons of water. I got an uninspiring lavender color and was really disappointed. After reading your post I was all ready to order the iDye, because you got exactly the color I wanted. But a little more googling, and I learned that when all-purpose grey or black dyes come out purplish, it may be because the water was not hot enough. Since I had half a packet of dye remaining and nothing really to lose, I figured why not try it again using the stovetop method? I brought 1.5 gallons of water, the half pack of dye, and 1T salt to nearly a boil, and redyed the onesies, stirring constantly for 30-35 minutes. The result was awesome. No longer purple-y, and very close to the color shown on the dye packaging (just a touch lighter, which probably could have been overcome with a longer dye time). Looks a lot like your results!
All of this to say, if anyone is looking for a solution to dissatisfying purplish results with the Rit pearl grey, I think the secret is just in the temperature of the water. Obviously the stovetop method isn’t a great option for those trying to dye sheets, but for smaller projects, I think the Rit can produce a nice finished product this way!
Thank you for these comments! I had exactly the same lavendar results and wondered why- will go stove method and dye again!
Lisa- Good luck!
Thank you for this reply. My son is leaving tomorrow morning (4am), today is Sunday, and no open stores have the required gray sweatshirt (crew neck) he must bring with him to the MA State Trooper Program. But they did have one white sweatshirt. So ill be attempting the RIT pearl gray. I feel much more confident now and will make sure to bring water to a boil and stir for a good 35 min. Thanks!!!
Good luck! I hope it works out well for you and good luck to your son!
Now you said you popped yours into the washer…front or top load?
Good question – I have a top loader which may make things easier.
Hi I have linen pillow shams I want to turn a Greige color. Do you have any good ideas?
Hmmm. I’ve never tried for greige. I wonder if you could do a tea stain?
Guess what color I need? That pearl gray from RIT – I’m so glad I found your blog as I was afraid it’d be the darker gray ( I prefer the darker but my scrubs have to be the lighter shade for my work place. )
Carley – glad I could be a help!
Has anyone tried dyeing blue jeans to grey? Would you bleach the jeans first? They are a mid blue not light and not dark…
Good question. I haven’t tried it, but maybe someone else can jump in with their experience.
I’m also hoping to get the bluish-grey that you got from the RIT. I was afraid it would be warm with warm tones from the packaging. Thanks for posting!
Glad I could help Jean!
I almost bought the RIT pearl grey myself so I’m glad I did some research first!!! Definitely going with iDye for a dark grey. Thanks for he help and what a fun finished project you have!
Awesome Dale, Glad I could help.
I’m curious how your gray is holding up after washing? Have you had any trouble with fading? I found your post after googling “permanent gray dyes”. I want to dye a slip cover gray, but it will be washed here and there (I have three kids) :)
It has held up well. The duvet hasn’t faded at all from washing – unfortunately, it also hasn’t survived. I dyed it to begin with because it had some stains from a leaky pipe and unfortunately, the stains eventually worked up through the dye as well. The actual dyed color help up great though.
How many things have dye did you use and how many curtains Panels did you dYE
I believe I used one pack to dye four curtain panels.
I love the color, but I have a question: what about the seams? Did the thread got the same color, too? I want do dye a pair of white jeans but I am not sure about that..please let me know, thank you.
The thread in the seams did stay white. It is not noticeable on the things I dyed, but it may be more noticeable on a pair of jeans. Most things are sewn with polyester thread which will not change with regular fabric dye but if they are made with a natural fiber thread, the thread will be dyed as well.
You did a beautiful job…. congrats on your persistence.
I’m also hoping you can help me – if you know – how to “dye” or “bleach” black into a gray color. I have a cotton (like t-shirt fabric) sweater I absolutely love, but I’m no longer wearing black and need it to be gray. Any hope?
Thanks Jocelyne. I don’t really have any advice on getting black to gray because I don’t have any experience with it myself. Sorry!
I just bought 4 boxes of Pearl Grey Rit dye yesterday to dye a sofa slipcover. I did a test washcloth using the stove top method and it came out like your dark sliver gray. I’d like it to turn out more like the first dye job you did. I guess maybe it does depend on the temperature of the water and also how much dye one uses. Luckily, things can usually be re-dyed.
Thanks for posting. I love finding out what other people are doing to get ideas and to get the courage to try new things. :)
Thanks Ginger – how funny that you wanted the lighter color and got the darker gray! I hope you were able to get the color you were going for in the end!
Hi, I would love to know how did your cover come out? Was easy enough? Did you like the results?
I dye my jeans all the time because I don’t like the washed out look. I use the dry Denim dye & hot water in my washing machine & every time they come out looking new. The gold thread in my jeans does not absorb the dye & looks like they just came from the store.
Ginger in San Angelo
Ginger, this is such a fabulous idea. I don’t like the washed out look either – I may have to try this next time my jeans are getting worn looking!
I am so glad I just goggled this- I was all set to dye a duvet cover in Pearl gray ( I bought the liquid bottles) TODAY- but did want a darker color- just like yours so ordering and waiting- thanks for the tips- I was going to use double the dye (king size) do you think that is necessary?
Peggy, I am glad you waited and I hope the idye works for the color you want. It worked great for me. I am not sure about doubling the dye – I would go with what the package directions say. It has been awhile since I dyed my own duvet cover so I can’t remember for sure how many packets I used but I am thinking I just used one for a double/queen duvet.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I’m decorating my husband’s office and trying keep the budget in check. I have three pairs of linen drapes from Restoration Hardware that I’m no longer using and they cost too much to sit idle in the closet. I plan on buying the iDye and I’m hopeful that I’ll get similar results.
Sounds like a great way to reuse what you already own!
What kind of duvet cover do you have? I love it!! I’d love to find one like it!
Molly, This is a duvet cover from the Martha Stewart line at Kmart. I bought it there about seven years ago so I don’t know if they still make these or not but you could probably google to find out!
I realize this is an old post, but I just wanted to say thank you! I dyed a vintage bedspread recently and it came out purple and I was pretty disappointed. Thanks to your post I knew exactly what to do and ordered some iDye and they came out great!
Kaitlin, I am so glad my post helped! Thanks for commenting- it always makes me happy to know something I put out there helped someone else!
I dyed 600 rose petals for my daughter’s wedding. They turned out a lovely lavender color instead of light grey. Very pretty, but not at all what I need. I even boiled the water! I’ll try one more time with a half packet of dye- hopefully we’ll get grey this time.
Yikes! Good luck – sounds like a tough project!
Hi, can i use cold water for the idye or does it have to be hot water?
You need to use hot water. (I haven’t tried using cold so it is possible it would work, but the instructions call for hot water and most fabric dye requires hot water.)
Did you use color remover on the item that was pearl gray before using the idye? I ask because the linen throw I just made is now a lavender/purple color. Do I need to remove that first before using the idye?
I saw your post AFTER I had used the Rit Pearl Gray.
Thank you!
Janie, no I didn’t do anything besides throw it in and re-dye it with the idye.
How can i dye a dark red net canopy to a grey, dark grey, black
Tiffany, I haven’t tried to dye a net canopy so I am not sure. One thing to check is whether it is cotton or a synthetic fabric like polyester. Typically dyes won’t work on any synthetic fabrics and even silk needs to be dyed with a special type of dye.
Just a testimonial — I found this page back in August doing research for a Gandalf costume for Halloween. I spent the next couple of months working on my son’s costume, so by the time I came back to Gandalf I was impatient and used the Rit “Pearl Gray” dye — too light — then tried with some “Black” — now it’s purply gray, like some of your commenters had said. Now (10/20) I’m rush-shipping some iDye from Amazon, hoping it gets here in time for Halloween. Thanks for your advice here though — if I’d actually paid attention, I’d be about $10 richer (cost of the Rit dye) and much less stressed. :-(
I have definitely been there, trying to use what is available and just get it done. I never would have thought before it was so tough to just dye something a nice gray! Good luck getting Gandalf ready!
I have a front loader. Will it not work to dye my curtains?
Elsida, it should work fine for a front loader as well, the method is just slightly different. You can see the method the company recommends right here –> http://jacquardproducts.com/assets/jacquard-site/product-pages/dyes/idye/iDye%20Natural%20Instructions.pdf
Hello I was wondering if you have any advice about dyeing a queen or King size comforter grey. What are my best options. Thank you for any advice you can provide.
Tammy, I haven’t ever dyed a full comforter so I don’t have first hand experience. It is definitely worth a try though. The most important thing is to make sure your comforter (including any visible threads) is all natural fabric like cotton.
I just dyed my super soft king size quilt in my front loader following the iDye instructions. It took on one side but not the other. It also came out blotchy with some darker slots. Is there any way to fix this?
Oh no Tawny! I wonder if the quilt was too big? If it was me, I might try dying it again to see if that helped fix it.
I’m just wondering if anyone here has tried to dye a pair of blue jeans gray. I own 20 pair of blue jeans and my job now requires only gray. Thinking maybe black or the dark gray may work. But thought before I ruin jeans I’d ask. Thanks so much
Personally I haven’t tried it. What a pain that you have to wear gray for your job! If they are a lighter, faded denim you might be able to dye them a dark gray. If they are a dark denim, I don’t think the dye will take.
I need very light light gray to add an aged look to white cotton voile. Suggestions?
I would try the idye and just add a very small amount and leave the fabric in the dye for a very short amount of time. You can always redye it with more dye if it isn’t gray enough.
I tried to dye 3 100% cotton flat sheets with charcoal gray rit dye. Followed the directions for a front load washer. They turned out grayish lavender. I re-dyed them with black in a container in bathtub. They are a darker gray but still have purplish ting. How do I get rid of the purplish look?
Oh man, I’m sorry that happened. I’m sorry but I haven’t used those colors so I can’t say for sure how to fix it. But one thing you might could try is dying it again with the black with a bit of yellow dye mixed in. Yellow is opposite purple on the color wheel so adding yellow might help neutralize the purple tone. But this is all based on color theory; I don’t have personal experience with it. Good luck!