Name: Trish
Message: Hi
I am trying to tie-dye cotton material for head wraps. What is the best way to achieve a dark red? We used the RIT dye in cold and it came out pinkish. We boiled the water and it did come out darker.
We would like to batik most of them. The hot water will not work with batik.

The best way to achieve a dark red on cotton is to use a more appropriate type of dye. The best dye to use is fiber reactive dye, such as Procion MX, Cibacron F, or Drimarene K dye.

All-purpose dye, such as Rit brand dye, does not work in cold water. To use all-purpose dye, you must simmer the fabric in the hot dye, dissolved in water, for half an hour or more. All-purpose dye is not at all appropriate for use in batik.

It is sometimes possible to find fiber reactive dye sold as Dylon Cold Water Dye (do not get Dylon Multi Purpose Dye!), or in the form of a tie-dye kit made by Jacquard or by Rainbow Rock. For the same amount of money, you can get considerably more dye, and a greater range of possible colors, from any of the mail-order companies listed on my Sources for Dyeing Supplies page. One good choice for your project would be PRO MX Turkey Red. You will also need soda ash (sodium carbonate) to fix your dye. For instructions, see "How to Batik".