How to Dye Cheesecloth

How to Dye Cheesecloth

There really isn't an exact method to this process.  Just make sure you don't add too much dye or put more than one cheesecloth into the washer/dryer at the same time.  

Materials needed:
*Cheesecloth...I bought mine in a small pack (36" x 3 yd) at Wal-Mart for $2.97, and cut it in half.  This comes in a clear, plastic bag (see below).  It is found in the sewing section.    
*Scissors to cut cheesecloth in half or fourths (larger pack)
*Rit Dye (Liquid or powder work fine.)
*Bucket (A car washing bucket works best.)
*spatula (can be bought @ dollar stores)
*pot to heat up water (I used a canning pot just to warm the water.)
*salt
*disposable gloves (especially if you are using powder)
*You may need to use a mask when using this dye if you don't have a window to open and are using this indoors.

Before I knew how much dye to put into the bucket of water, I put in the whole pack of green dye.  This is why the Lime Green is more like a forest green. I would suggest carefully adding your dye.  

Step 1:  Open up the cheesecloth packet.  Get your scissors, and cut the cheesecloth in half (if you are using the smaller package, 36" x 3 yd).  They will be a tad bit larger if you use the larger pack of cheesecloth and cut it into fourths.    

Step 2:  Heat up a pot of boiling water.  I usually just fill a canning pot about 1/2 to 3/4 full.  You will add salt into your pot after the water has boiled.  There is no set amount of salt that I use.  I'd say about three good pinches.

Step 2:  Open up a window if you are going to do this inside.  You may even want to turn on your fan.  The smell can fill your house; and it can cause a headache.
OR  You can take your bucket of boiling water outside along with your dye, spatula, and cheesecloth.

Step 3:  Put your Bucket into the sink.  When the water is very hot or boiling, you can transfer your water into your bucket.  Add a few pinches of salt.  There is no accurate amount.  

Step 4:  If you are dying your cheesecloth indoors, put some of your dye into your bucket of hot water.  If you are dying it outdoors, take your bucket of hot water outdoors before you add the dye.  

Remember you can always add more dye but you cannot take it away.  I would start with just a little bit.  Cheesecloth soaks up lots of dye.  It will develop a tad bit richer color after it has been soaking.  The more dye you put into the bucket, the darker/richer the color will be.  Below you will see the difference in adding a little color vs. adding a lot of color.  I added just a little bit of dye for the lighter one and about half a bottle/box of dye for the darker/brighter one.

Step 5:  You can wash your cheesecloth with laundry detergent (hand wash) or just wet it with cold water.  Carefully add your wet cheesecloth to the bucket of dye.  Like I said earlier, you can always add more dye.  As soon as you've put your cheesecloth into the dye you will be able to lift it out of the water (with your spatula) to determine if you need to add more dye.  Gradually add enough dye until you are satisfied with the color.      

Step 6:  The cheesecloth needs to sit in the dye about 20-30 minutes.  Some bottles say continuously stir and others say stir often.  I usually stir about every five/ten minutes.  You can continuously stir if you have the time.

Step 7:  After 20-30 minutes have passed you may use the spatula to carefully pick up the cloth to ring out.  This is where you will definitely need your gloves.  If you are inside, the bucket will still be in the sink.  You can just transfer the cloth to the other side of the sink and rinse out.  When I did this outside I put on my gloves, rang out the excess dye very well, and brought it inside to rinse it in the sink.  

Step 8:  Here you will need to use laundry detergent to wash the cheesecloth.  I suggest you use cold water to wash out your cheesecloth.  You may choose to wash your cheesecloth in the washer.  However, I was warned on a previous blog that you do not put more than one cheesecloth into the washer or dryer.  They will tangle!  I just hand washed the cloth in the sink and rang them out until there was no dye present in the water.  I actually used laundry detergent made specifically for babies.  I am using these cloths for maternity and newborn photography.  

Step 9:  Dry your cheesecloth.  I have dried the cloth by hanging them on hangers in the laundry room.  With this method they will be more stiff.  You can just pop them into the dryer, after they have dried on the hanger, to soften them up.  I have also dried them in the dryer.  This works well but set your dryer on the gentle cycle, and only put one cheesecloth in the dryer at a time.  This only took about fifteen minutes (with my newer dryer).    

Step 10:  Rewash your cheesecloth (if you wish).  I was concerned about the dye irritating a baby's skin.  I washed and dried my cheesecloth three times.  Each time a little bit of the dye was still present, even after I had rang it clean previously.  It will shrink a little bit.  However, rewashing will help the cheesecloth become more pliable and softer.  This is recommended if you are going to wrap babies in this material.   

                                      

Step 11:  Enjoy!  You now have cheesecloth to use in newborn photography, maternity sessions, or other projects.  

Warning:  If you are going to use these material for photography, make sure you are supervising the baby.  Never leave a baby unattended with this material.  Just like most materials, a baby could suffocate if the material covers their face for long periods of time.      

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