It's easy to change the look of kitchen towels, tee shirts, or any fabric item by dyeing them with tea.While the tea doesn't change the color of the fabric, it can help hide stains and give clothing a vintage look.If you can boil water, you'll be able to dye fabric with tea.
Step 1: The tea bags should be removed from their packaging.
Unwrap the tea bags and discard the packaging.Throw the strings away with a pair of scissors.Black tea has the deepest color.White or green tea that is light in color doesn't work as well.If you prefer, you can use loose tea to dye your fabric.The process is less messy if you use tea bags.The number of tea bags depends on the size of the fabric and how dark it is.The more water you use, the more tea bags you will likely need.You can assume that you will need at least one tea bag for every cup or 8 liters of water.If you want your fabric to be a darker color, you should add extra bags.
Step 2: The pot of water needs to be boiled.
Allow your fabric to move freely by filling a large pot with enough water.Bring the water to a full boil when you put the pot on the stove.You should use 4 cups or 1 liter of water for every yard or meter of fabric that you are dyeing.Adding salt to the water will help set the color in the fabric so it won't come out easily when you wash it.Salt is used for every 4 cups or 1 liter of water.
Step 3: The tea should be steep in the water.
Once the water comes to a boil, remove the pot from the heat and place the tea bags inside.The tea will come out of the water.You should allow the tea to steep for at least 15 minutes in most cases.The darker your dyed fabric will be, the more color will come out from the tea.Before you add fabric, check the water to make sure you are happy with the color.
Step 4: It's a good idea to wash or wet the fabric.
When you dye the fabric, make sure it is wet.Pre-used fabric can be washed to remove dirt.Before dyeing new fabric, rinse it in water.Before dyeing, be sure to wring out the fabric.Natural fibers include cotton, silk, linen, and wool.It won't work on synthetic fabric.Don't allow the fabric to dry completely while you wring it out.
Step 5: Add the fabric after removing the tea bags.
Lift the tea bags from the water and discard them when your tea reaches the desired color.Make sure the fabric is completely submerged in the tea water.To ensure that the fabric rests at the bottom of the pot and completely under the water, it may be helpful to swirl it around with a wooden spoon or other stirring instrument.There may be some fabric in the water.The fabric should be held down with other spoons or kitchen tools.
Step 6: For at least an hour, soak the fabric in the tea.
Allow the fabric to soak for at least 60 minutes after it is submerged in the tea bath.The darker the fabric is, the darker it will be dyed.If you want to make sure the fabric is dyed a noticeable color, you should soak in the tea overnight.It is a good idea to stir the fabric in the tea bath every so often.It will be ensured that it dyes evenly.You can see how dark the tea is by lifting the fabric out at regular intervals.You may need to continue soaking it longer if you know that the fabric will dry lighter than it appears when wet.
Step 7: The fabric should be washed in cold water and vinegar.
Remove the fabric from the tea bath if you are happy with it.Give it a quick rinse in cold water, and then allow it to soak for 10 minutes in a pot of water.To set the color, add a splash of vinegar to the water.If you are bothered by the tea scent of the fabric, you may want to wash it with laundry detergent that is meant for delicate items.
Step 8: Remove the excess water and dry the fabric.
Remove the fabric from the pot and wring out the excess water after it has been soaked in.Allow the fabric to dry completely by laying it out in a warm, sunny spot.Depending on the type of fabric you are dyeing, you may want to throw the fabric in the dryer.
Step 9: Put the iron on the fabric.
When the fabric is placed in the pot to dye, it canwrinkle easily, and because you are laying it flat to dry, thewrinkle won't be removed during the drying process.It is a good idea to iron the fabric to make it look better.Before ironing it, take the fabric type into account.Cotton and linen hold up well to heat, but delicate fabrics such as silk need to be handled more gently.The steam setting is needed for heavy wool.The best setting for your fabric can be found in the instruction manual.