Name: Ken
Message: Hi, I tried searching for the answer to this question. I haven't been tie-dying long, but it is good for soul and I like it. I grew tired of mixing the dye in small quantities so now I have mixed up about a 1/2 gal of the three primary colors. I'm wondering whether to store the mixed dye in the fridge or at room temp. I'm also wondering if I can add more dye if the dye seems a little lighter than It did to begin with. I shake it up , but the yellow seems to be not as bright. Thanks.

Yes, you should refrigerate your dye. Adding more dye does not make as much sense as just mixing up a fresh batch, once the old batch has started to go bad. You might also consider using a similar class of dye that lasts longer in solution, such as Cibacron F dye. The latter could allow you to use dye for months after mixing it with water!

Procion MX dye is the usual dye for beginning tie-dyers who are lucky enough to start with good materials (as opposed to all-purpose dye, which is distinctly inferior for tie-dyeing). Procion MX dye is the most reactive of the cool water fiber reactive dyes. This means that it is less picky about whether or not you provide warm enough conditions for the dye to react with the fabric. It also means that it goes bad more quickly than any of the other fiber reactive dyes. It will usually stay good for at least a week at room temperature, once dissolved in water, as long as you do not activate it by adding the soda ash to the dye mixture.

I have read that Procion MX dye reacts three times more quickly for every ten degree (Celsius) increase in temperature. (Ten degrees Celsius is the same as eighteen degrees Fahrenheit.) Similarly, then, for every ten degree C. decrease in temperature, it should last three times as long. Refrigerating dye will help it to last longer. See "What is the effect of temperature on fiber reactive dyes?". Of course, you must take precautions so that a clueless guest will not attempt to drink your refrigerated dye, thinking that it is artificially colored fruit punch! Many dyers buy a small inexpensive refrigerator for dye use only, so as to avoid potential contamination of foodstuffs. You should be careful to allow your dye to reach room temperature before using it.

Another very good form of cool water fiber reactive dye is Cibacron F. You use it exactly like Procion MX dye, but it stays good much longer after being mixed with water. You can purchase Cibacron F dyes from PRO Chemical & Dye, where they sell it under the name of Sabracron F. Prochemical is located in the US, but will ship to many different countries. Cibacron F dye will last significantly longer than Procion MX dye after you dissolve it in water; it, too will benefit from refrigeration between uses, however. The same slightly lower reactivity that makes Cibacron F dyes last longer in solution makes them a little pickier about reaction temperature, similar to the Procion MX turquoise. You must make sure that your tie-dyed items are warm, after you apply the dye, while you let them rest overnight for the dye to react with the fiber. The above-referenced page, "What is the effect of temperature on fiber reactive dyes?", gives a number of suggestions for how to make sure your dyed items are warm enough while reacting.

A third very good form of fiber reactive dye is Drimarene K. It is intermediate between Procion MX and Cibacron F in its properties. The only supplier of this dye that I know of which is oriented toward the individual artist/tie-dyer is Batik Oetoro, in Australia; shipping to the US from Australia may be a little expensive.

Incidentally, there is no such thing as a preservative that will enable your Procion MX dye to last longer in solution. However, if your water supply is very alkaline, it can cause your dyes to break down more quickly. You might want to get some pH paper and test the pH of your water. If your pH is very different from the neutral pH of 7, you can add a few drops of vinegar to lower it, or a little soda ash to increase it. Using water with a pH of 7 to dissolve your dyes will enable them to last as long as they can, given an appropriate storage temperature.


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