Name: Tracy
Message: My question is- Is it safe to dye cotton pre-fold diapers? I mean, is it safe for the baby to wear the dyed diapers? If so, is there a minimum age on this? I want to dye newborn diapers and matching t-shirts. Also, I'm 5 months pregnant with twins- I'm thinking of going with one of the liquid dyes for added safety- is there one you recommend over others? I'd like to do some vibrant colors- fuschia, purple, turquoise, green, a more basic blue, a rosey brown...which dye do you think will give me the best results here?
Thank you for your time!

The safest dyes for use on baby clothing are fiber reactive dyes, such as Procion MX or Remazol dyes. They must be applied properly, using soda ash (or another high-pH chemical) as a fixative to make the dye bond permanently to the cotton, and washed out thoroughly, using an initial rinse with cool water and then two or more washings with hot water, until no unattached dye is left in the fabric. To test whether the washing has been adequate, dampen the dyed item and press it between two white cloths with a hot iron; if any dye transfer occurs, wash the fabric again in the hottest water available, preferably at least 140°F, until the fabric passes the test.

Properly applied Remazol dyes have been certified for use on clothing for babies of all ages by the Oeko-tex 100 [PDF link] certification used in Europe. I am certain that Procion MX dyes are equally safe when used properly according to the usual recipes, but I do not have a literature reference handy to prove this with. I dyed my own babies' clothing with Procion MX dyes, though I did not dye the diapers themselves.

I strongly recommend against the use of all-purpose dye for baby clothes or any other clothing in which it is important for the dye to remain firmly attached to the fabric. I feel that fiber reactive dyes are safer for baby clothing than all-purpose and direct dyes, though I don't have a literature reference to prove this, either. Reactive dyes are easier to use than all-purpose dyes, brighter in color, much less expensive in the long run, and much longer-lasting. 

If you want to use liquid dyes, the ones I have most experience with are PRO Chemical & Dye's Liquid Fiber Reactive dyes, which are the Remazol type of dye. I have been using these dyes and enjoying the convenience of the liquid dye very much. They are fixed with a high pH, like Procion MX dyes, using soda ash. The only difference is that you must let the dyes set at somewhat warmer temperatures. Where Procion MX dyes work best at 80°F to 105°F, but work adequately outside of that range as long as the temperature is at least 70°F, the Remazol dyes prefer a temperature range of 104°F to 140°F. The higher end of this range is the temperature of standard hot water heaters in the US, though many people turn their water heaters down to 120°F to reduce the risk of scald injury, after they have children. It is convenient to turn the water heater back while dyeing. Or, you can warm your dye reaction in many other ways, which ever is most convenient for you. You can mix your Remazol dyes with water at room temperature, apply it with soda ash or sodium silicate (PRO Fix LHF) to the garments, then place them in a warm place overnight to allow the dye to react with the fiber. Then you just have to rinse the garments in cool water and wash them in hot. Remazol dyes are somewhat easier to finish washing out than Procion MX dyes are.

A good way to start is to order both the "Liquid Reactive Dye Painting Sampler (Cool Palette)" and the "Liquid Reactive Dye Painting Sampler (Warm Palette)" from PRO Chemical & Dye. Or, you can order a two ounce bottle of each color you like, and use soda ash from the hardware store to set the dyes. 

For more information, see:

"Vinyl Sulfone Fiber Reactive Dyes"

"Ways to increase your reaction temperature", on the page
"What is the effect of temperature on fiber reactive dyes?"

"PRO Liquid Reactive Dyes" on ProChem's web site


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