Paradise Fibers Acid Dye (for plant and animal fibers)

Details

Create your own gradient colorways at home! Acid dyes give spinners and hand-dyers vibrant, washfast color on wool, silk, alpaca, and even nylon. They’re easy to use at home, just add to hot water and vinegar, no special equipment or mordants needed. With rich, professional results in under an hour, you can transform raw fiber, yarn, or finished skeins into custom shades that won’t fade or bleed.

Colors are mixable! Our acid dye powder works on protein fibers such as wool, silk, and even man-made nylon. With 12 vibrant, mixable shades available, you can craft every color under the sun with ease. 10 grams will dye up to 2 lbs of fiber or yarn in about 30 minutes of simmering. With hot water and an acidic dye bath that includes added white vinegar or acid crystals, the fiber will exhaust the dyes beautifully. The best method is immersion on a stovetop.

Click here for an Ice Dyeing Silk Bricks tutorial using these Acid Dyes.

Download the digital color card here.

Dyeing Instructions:

Soak fiber in warm water for 20 minutes. Dissolve dye powder with warm water. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar per 4 oz of fiber. Fill the dye bath with enough water to cover the fiber. Stir and dissolve dye mix into water. Add pre-soaked fiber and simmer for approximately 30 minutes then allow to cool. Rinse until the water runs clear and let dry. Label all items clearly, and note the date purchased and mixed. Mixed dyes can be stored for up to 6 months. 

Health and Safety:

Store in a cool, dry space out of direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Use air-tight containers for storing all powders and liquids. Always replace lids tightly after using dye powders and chemicals.

Keep out of reach of children. Wear gloves, a dust mask, and protective clothing while handling. Do not swallow. Do not inhale. Harmful to aquatic life unless the dye bath is fully exhausted and PH balanced. This product is for dyeing craft and textile fibers only. Dye color may vary from batch to batch. When used correctly acid dye is non-hazardous to humans and the environment.

Proper Disposal Guidelines:

Dye solutions do not store well for long periods. It is important to prepare only as much dye as you will use. 

When you are completely finished with an acid dye bath, you should neutralize the bath. Add baking soda 1 tablespoon at a time and use pH test papers to verify that the exhausted bathwater is neutralized. Then pour the exhausted dyebath down the drain, flushing with plenty of water.

Tip: If you have a bath with a lot of leftover dye, another option is to store it in plastic jugs. Most communities have clean-up days where they will collect household chemicals. Be sure you label the contents of the containers.

Questions about Acid Dye

What fibers does acid dye work on?

Protein (animal) fibers such as wool, mohair, alpaca, cashmere, yak and silk, plus nylon. It is the standard dye for spinning fiber and yarn made from these fibers.

Do I need a mordant?

No. Acid dyes only need heat and an acid, such as white vinegar or citric acid, to bond with the fiber. No alum or other mordant is required.

How much fiber does one jar dye?

10 grams dyes up to 2 lb of fiber or yarn for medium shades. Use more dye for deep colors and less for pastels.

How do I know the dye bath is done?

The bath is exhausted when the water turns clear or nearly clear, which means the fiber has taken up the dye. Let it cool before rinsing to avoid felting.

Can I mix the colors?

Yes. All 12 colors are mixable, so you can create custom shades and gradients. Keep notes of your ratios so you can repeat a color.

Great bases for dyeing: white Polwarth, silk and bleached yak down.