Name: Lil
Message: I have a couple of questions for you. One, I have a set of king size 600 threadcount egyptian cotton sateen sheets. They were somewhat pricey when I bought them. They are still in great condition except the color is somewhat dingy. (They started as a cream color.) Do you think it is worth it for me to take the time and energy to dye them? After reading your exceptional advice on your wonderful site, I am now convinced that I need to use the fiber-reactive dyes. However, it sounds like a lot of work.

Second, if I don't want to dye the sheets myself, how can I find someone who will dye the sheets for me (at a reasonable price)?

Fresh new 100% cotton sheets may dye poorly due to the resins and finishes used to make them wrinkle-free, but well-aged sheets, like yours, that have been washed many times, are much better for dyeing. I certainly think it's worthwhile to dye old 600-count Egyptian cotton sheets! They must be very soft by now.

For solid colors, dyeing in the washing machine is not at all difficult. You just follow the directions, adding water and salt to the machine, then the dissolved dye powder, the fabric, and finally the soda ash. You then reset the washing machine several times, at the end of each cycle, so the dye water does not drain out until an hour has gone by. Then all you have to do is wash out the excess dye, first in cold water and then in hot water.

As you said, you do need to use fiber reactive dyes for best results and easiest dyeing. Pro Chemical & Dye provides instructions for "Immersion Dyeing in the Home Washing Machine using PRO MX Reactive Dyes" and "Immersion Dyeing in the Home Washing Machine using Sabracron F Reactive Dyes "; Dharma Trading Company provides similar instructions for "The Vat (Washing Machine, Tub, Bucket) Dye Method". (I always omit the Calsolene Oil in the latter recipe because its warning label requires safety precautions that seem like too much trouble to me, and I get great results without it.)

You should also consider more exciting forms of dyeing, such as low water immersion dyeing, or possibly tie-dyeing. I once tie-dyed a 50% polyester sheet; even though the colors are drab compared to 100% cotton, it has been much loved by children and guests.

You can buy soda ash at a swimming pool store and non-iodized salt at the grocery store, but it is best to mail-order the fiber reactive dye, either Procion MX, Cibacron/Sabracron F, or Drimarene K. See my list of "Sources for Dyeing Supplies".

If you really don't want to go to the trouble of doing any of this yourself (though I think it is a lot of fun and highly worthwhile), there are commercial dyers who will do the dyeing for you. Many of the tie-dyers listed on my "Custom Dyers List" page would be delighted to do custom tie-dyeing or low water immersion dyeing for you. If you shudder at the thought of knock-your-eyes-out bright tie-dye, keep in mind that it can be done in absolutely any color scheme you like. Solid color dyeing is also provided by many of these companies, such as True Color Fabric Dyeing. It is generally difficult to get someone to dye polyester, but very easy to find someone who loves to dye cotton and other natural fibers.