Name: kathy
Message: I have a white shirt that is 96% cotton and 4%elastan(?). I would like to dye it some version of off-white or light tan. Is this possible for this fabric? Should I use tea or some dye that I buy?

It is possible to dye cotton with tea. The tea coloring will gradually come out in the laundry, but will last long enough to make the effort worthwhile. Tea dyeing works best with very hot water, however, which would not be good for your shirt. The cotton may shrink, and the elastane (usually known here in the US as spandex) is highly heat-sensitive and may be badly damaged by hot water.

I do not recommend all-purpose dye for this project because it, too, requires hot water, ideally at least 190 degrees F. (87 C.) for half an hour, and it too washes out gradually in the laundry.

The best type of dye to use to dye cotton clothing is cool water fiber reactive dye. The most popular fiber reactive dyes is Procion MX dye, which is available by mail-order from most of the dye supply companies listed on my page of sources for dyeing supplies around the world. If you are in Europe, you also have the option of buying Dylon Machine Dye, another good fiber reactive dye, which is optimized for use in washing machines.

The easiest way to dye clothing a solid color is in the washing machine. See "How can I dye clothing or fabric in the washing machine?".

Note that the stitching on your white shirt is almost certainly polyester and will remain white.

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