Name: Elane
Message: I have a printed dress that I would like to dye a solid color. Must I remove the color first? and how??

It may or may not be possible to remove the printed design. It may have been printed with dyes, or it may have been printed with pigments. Many dyes cannot be bleached, but if your dress is 100% cotton or linen, you can try bleaching it to remove the design. There is no way to predict whether or not it will work. Do not use bleach on synthetic fibers, nor on protein fibers such as silk or wool. Another dye removal chemical, Rit Color Remover, can be used on fibers other than cotton; it, too, will work on some dyes but not others. See "What chemicals can be used to remove dye?".

If you do not remove the printed design before you dye, it will always be visible under the dye that you use to change the color of your dress. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Depending on the color you choose, the results can be quite attractive. Keep in mind that all dyes are transparent and will just add on to the existing color; they will not completely cover it up.


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