Name: charity
Message: where can I get UREA, the substance frequently mentioned in your site?? Is it truly necessary for dying? And what do you think of RIT, I've tried RIT, two packages at one time and still ended up with a light gray, when black was my intention. thanks for your time.

Urea, as explained in the FAQ section of my website, is useful as a humectant to keep reactions moist in direct dye application. Some people also think that it helps in dissolving some fiber reactive dyes. There is no use for urea in dyeing with all-purpose dye. You can mail-order urea, along with your dye, from any of the dye supply companies listed on my web site. You can also use fertilizer-grade urea from a feed store, if you are interested in buying large quantities. Fertilizer-grade urea is cleaner than feed grade.

All-purpose dyes often produce unsatisfactory results; they are never as intense in color, or as washfast, or as easy-to-use, as cool water fiber reactive dyes. However, people often do not use the proper technique to give all-purpose dye a good chance. Was your fabric 100% cotton or wool? Rit dye, like most other types of dye, cannot change the color of polyester fiber. Did you simmer it at 190 degrees Fahrenheit (88 C.), for thirty minutes or more? All-purpose dye requires heat to make a good attachment to fiber, and extended periods of time are required for bright or dark colors. Did you use at least one package of dye for every pound of fabric (and twice that for black)? It takes a lot of dye to get a good strong black.

For dyeing clothing black, I would tend to recommend other types of dye. For dyeing cotton, linen, rayon, or other cellulose fibers, as well as silk, I recommend the use of cool water fiber reactive dyes, such as Procion MX or Cibacron F dye. Try the Sabrcron/Cibacron F dye, #F61 Rich Black, from Prochemical & Dye, following the washing machine instructions. For dyeing wool, silk, or nylon (but no other synthetics), the best and richest black is the Lanaset dye (also sold as Sabraset or Telana); study the instructions first. I do not recommend that home dyers immersion dye polyester, but if you do, you must use Disperse dye; see "Dyeing Polyester with Disperse Dyes".