A Cheap Dye Job
April 27, 2011
A favorite pair of jeans is like … a favorite pair of jeans. Really, once you’ve broken in a pair that fits your backside to perfection, they really are an irreplaceable treasure.
I was switching out my winter and spring wardrobe the other day and pulled out my most favorite pair of summer capris I’ve ever owned. Ever. I confess I’ve even fallen asleep in them a few times, they’re that comfortable, and I don’t ever say that about denim. I’m more of a lover of yoga pants, but these denim capris have the perfect amount of stretch and softness. They are my favey faves.
I’ve washed them a zillion times and they were showing it. Everyone has their preference when it comes to the perfect shade of denim, but for me, these were way too faded to be worn out of the house. These days as I creep closer to 40, I’m hopelessly devoted to dark wash, it’s just a little more slimming ay?
Meet my beloved crop denim jeans in their saddest state.
Notice the excessively deep crouch lines.
No, I did not say crotch, I said crouch. I would never use the word crotch in a blog post, I’m too much of a lady. I’ve earned these crouch lines cleaning up after kids and all those squats I do every day for the benefit of my gluteus maximus. Actually that last part isn’t true, I can’t remember the last time I did a squat for the sake of exercise alone.
I simply could never part with these jeans because they fit me so well, but mostly because this pair tells me two things I want to hear every single day of my life and it’s written right on the Jolt tag. They are my daily affirmation.
“Live Your Own Dream, Follow Your Heart”
and
“You’re a size 5!”
My scale begs to differ.
Must be all that cheese.
Scales are such Debbie Downers.
Anyway, in a desperate attempt to restore my beloved cropped denim pants, I bought this $2 dollar pack of Rit Dye.
According to the directions, there are several methods: stovetop, washing machine, or bucket.
As an amateur, I was too chicken to put dark blue dye in my washer, or in a pot I cook with. It was then that I had a Lucy moment. Hey I’ll just use my husband’s car wash bucket, he’ll never know! I’ll get rid of all the evidence before he comes home!
I mixed up about 10 cups of boiling water and the dye powder, and then (biting my nails in trepidation) dipped my jeans into the mix.
Then I stirred and stirred and waited five whole minutes. Then I couldn’t take it anymore, I could hear my jeans crying out to me to save them from the torture.
I pulled them out, and wrung the dye out as best as possible with my hands.
Note to self: in the future, wear gloves to avoid Violet Beauregarde hands.
Second note to self: moisturize more often.
After rinsing the jeans till the water ran clear in my bathtub, then drying them in my dryer, I was pleased to discover I had a ‘new’ pair of jeans.
I was shocked how the threads stayed mostly true to their color too, maybe because I left them in for only 5 minutes? Anyone know? I’m just amazed how these jeans came back to life with a cheap dye job.
*Reader update: it’s because the threads are synthetic. Good to know!
Most importantly, my daily affirmation remains, albeit a little muddied from the dye.
“Live Your Own Dream, Follow Your Heart”
and
“You’re a size 5!”
Thank you beloved jeans, thank you.
How cool to have a new pair of old jeans that fits me to perfection! And ones that can be worn out of the house and won’t embarrass my husband or children.
So now I just have this little problem called a full bucket of dye that I’m thinking shouldn’t be dumped down the drain or near where it could affect a water source (but then again, you can use this stuff in a washing machine).
A big bucket of dye. Sitting in my husband’s weekend carwash bucket. That I sheepishly hid around the back corner of our house cause I’m worried about dumping it down the drain.*
Come Saturday afternoon, this conversation will occur.
Oh wait, he reads my blog.
I’m thinking the jig is up.
* YAY, reader update: there is a safe way to dispose, thank you Sarah!
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Tags: dye, dyeing jeans
When I worked at Outback Steakhouse our jeans had to be super super dark and we would use 2 Navy Blues and 1 Black dye packs. I don’t advise using your Grandma’s washing machine…but the apartment facilities are excellent. Just avoid the maintainance manager for a week or so.
Wow I can’t believe how great they look!
Hello i have a nice cream pair of curtains and i am changing the decor of my living room can i dye these curtains?
Hiya! just wondering how well the color held up after a couple of washes? Are they still good and dyed the darker blue or has it faded really quickly? I’m thinkinig about trying this with some jeans I just never loved the color of (but fit great). Thank you!
Run the washer through a cycle with hot water/soap after you do the dye job. I’ve done it many times with no problems.
Did you have any trouble later like turning your underwear into blue after wearing the jeans for a couple of hours?
I did this exactly the same and mine turned out very purple-ish! Eek! I had to bleach them to get them faded again and get all the purple out :(