How to Dye White or Faded Jeans

Refresh Blue Jeans With Bluing

Bluing is a laundry product often used to brighten white fabrics that have yellowed. The blue pigment tricks the eye making the fabric look whiter. Since liquid bluing is a highly concentrated colloidal suspension of blue iron powder and water, it works great to darken and refresh blue jeans.

1. Fill the Container

   Fill the sink or washer with enough water to completely submerge the blue jeans. They should be totally wet before adding the bluing.

   Warning

   Never use undiluted bluing in a sink, tub, or any plastic container you care about. The blue pigment will be too concentrated and can result in a nearly permanent stain on fabrics or basin.

2. Add the Bluing

   You will need to experiment a bit to achieve the level of darkness you desire for the fabric. Use about 1/4 teaspoon or a few drops of liquid bluing for each pair of jeans. Always dilute the bluing in 1 quart of cold water before adding it to the sink or washer. Never pour bluing directly on the fabric because spotting will occur. 

3. Soak the Jeans

   Add the jeans and soak in the bluing solution for at least 10 minutes. You can then wash as usual with detergent.

   Warning

   Do not add bleach, fabric softener, or any other laundry product. There will be no hazardous fumes, but the other products will cause spotting or staining.

4. Dry the Jeans

   The jeans can be air-dried or tossed in the dryer. Repeated washings will remove the bluing so if the color is too dark, simply wash several times.
   

How to Dye Jeans With Fabric Dye

Whether you want to create colored jeans in your favorite hue or simply refresh and deepen the color of faded jeans, a commercial liquid dye is a simple method. You can even mix two colors to get the exact one you want. Liquid fabric dye offers a simple dyeing technique in a bucket.

Selecting Your Color

Use any color of liquid fabric dye or create a custom color by mixing two different dyes. You can add a touch of black dye to the dye bath to make the color even richer and darker.

1. Prewash the Jeans

   Prewash jeans with a good laundry detergent to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
   

2. Cover Your Work Area

   Spread a plastic table cover or plastic cloth on the floor or the counter to prevent stains from spills.
   

3. Fill the Container

   Place a dishpan or bucket on the plastic and fill it with 3 gallons of very hot tap water (140 degrees Fahrenheit). Note: If the water is not hot enough, heat some water in a teakettle or in the microwave.
   

4. Prepare the Dye Solution

   Wearing rubber gloves, shake the dye bottle well and pour it into the water. Then measure one cup of salt; dissolve in 2 cups of very hot water and stir well. Add to the dye bath. As a guideline, 1/2 cup (half bottle) of liquid dye will dye one pair of jeans. To achieve a dark, more intense color, use the entire bottle of dye (1 cup). Add a squirt of dishwashing liquid to the bath and stir well.
   

5. Test the Dye

   Test the dye color to be sure you are satisfied. You can test using a cotton fabric scrap or by dipping a piece of paper towel into the dye bath. Note: If the color is too light, add more dye. If the color is too dark, add more water.
   

6. Wet the Jeans

   Wet the jeans in plain warm water and squeeze out excess water.
   

7. Immerse the Jeans

   Immerse jeans in the dye bath and stir with a metal spoon continuously for 20 minutes, then occasionally for 10 minutes or until the desired color is achieved (up to one hour). The longer the jeans remain in the dye bath, the darker the color will be. (Color will appear lighter when dry.) Stirring helps to ensure an even color distribution.
   

8. Remove the Jeans

   Wearing the rubber gloves, remove the jeans from the dye bath and squeeze out excess dye. Rinse in cold running water until water begins to run clear.
   

9. Wash the Jeans

   Machine-wash separately with an old towel or two, or hand-wash jeans in warm water with mild detergent.