Name: Kirsten
Message: I don't believe this question is on your site yet....
I'm looking to dye a cotton muslin strip of cloth. I'll be using the cloth to make a sling to carry my baby in. When she is in her other sling, she tends to suck on the edge of the fabric. What method do you recommend to ensure that when she is sucking on the fabric that the dye doesn't get pulled out of the fabric and into her system?  thank you for your attention to this. Kirsten

Do not use all-purpose dye for this project. All-purpose dye will bleed a tiny bit whenever it gets wet, and some of the cationic dye fixatives used to set such dyes may not be safe for a baby to chew on.

What you must do is use a fiber reactive dye, such as Procion MX dye, and apply it correctly, so that it makes a permanent molecular bond to the fabric. Then you must wash in hot water until all unattached dye is removed. 

You will use soda ash and give the dye plus fabric plus soda ash enough time in a warm place (70°F or higher) for the reaction to fully proceed. You can follow the instructions at "How to Dye with Fiber Reactive Dye".

You can test to be sure all excess dye has been removed by dampening the fabric and placing it between two white cloths, then ironing it dry. If any loose dye transfers to the cloth, then repeat the washing in hot water (140°F). Soaking the dyed items in hot water as part of the washing-out stage can help to economize on hot water. The dye that is attached to the fiber will not come out even if boiled.

See also:
"IS IT SAFE TO DYE COTTON PRE-FOLD DIAPERS? I MEAN, IS IT SAFE FOR THE BABY TO WEAR THE DYED DIAPERS?"
(Posted in my Dyeing Q&A Blog on February 24, 2007)

"IS THERE A WAY TO TYE DYE A BABIES' ONESIE THAT IS 100% COTTON USING HOMEMADE DYES?"
(Posted in my Dyeing Q&A Blog September 28, 2006)


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