Discharge dyeing

By Spotlight

Discharge dyeing is the process of removing colour from black or dark coloured fabrics.

Final Result

Materials

• black cotton fabric (homespun)
• household bleach
• white vinegar
• water
• three buckets
• spray bottle
• rubber gloves
• plastic to protect work surface (painters plastic drop sheets are inexpensive)
• old clothing to wear
• plastic bottle or pvc tube
• elastic bands
• string
• masks
• stencils
• paint brushes
• cotton buds
• any other mark making tools eg. plastic scrapers, ribbon reels, washers, etc
• black permanent marker
• paper towel

Step 1

Prepare the solutions

In one bucket mix one part bleach to two parts water, then write a B on the bucket. In another bucket mix one part vinegar to four parts water and mark the bucket with a V. In the last bucket fill it with plain water. Put on the rubber gloves and fill the spray bottle with the bleach solution.

Step 2

Prepare fabric pieces

Scrunch one piece into a ball and secure with multiple elastic bands, prepare another in traditional tie dye method of tying with rubber bands at regular intervals, wrap another around a plastic bottle or tube and tie with string scrunching together along the bottle. Fold a piece over and over for dip dying. Lay others out to spray solution over masks or through stencils, paint solution on or make marks by using objects such as stamps.

Design 1 pictured (before)

Step 3

Design 1 pictured (after)

Step 4

Step 3 - start to discharge dye

Dunk the ball of fabric into the discharge solution and check it every couple of minutes. It won’t happen instantly so keep an eye on it. Once the desired effect is achieved remove from the solution and place it in the vinegar solution to stop the bleaching process. It can stay in the vinegar solution for as long as you like as it will do no harm. After the vinegar, rinse the fabric in the plain water then launder normally, wash all the discharged fabrics together for the first time just to be safe. Repeat the process for all the fabric that needs to be dunked.

Design 2 pictured (before)

Step 5

Design 2 pictured (after)

Step 6

Design 3 pictured (before)

Step 7

Design 3 pictured (after)

Step 8

Step 4 - spraying to
discharge dye

If the fabric is to be sprayed, arrange the objects on top of the fabric and spray over them. The more you spray the more colour will be removed. Stop the discharge process in the same way as before. Try painting directly onto the fabric with brushes and cotton buds or using objects such as stamps or simply dropping the solution on to the surface in a random manner. If discharging the fabric flat on the work surface remember to wipe it dry with the paper towel between fabrics as the solution will discharge the next piece of fabric if it is still present on the surface. There is no way to control the process enough to create two pieces of fabric that will be exactly the same. So have fun, experiment and create some original pieces of fabric to be used in your textile work.

Design 4 pictured (before)

Step 9

Design 4 pictured (after)

Handy Hint

- Using natural fibres is best, as some synthetics will not discharge or will not react well to the bleach.

- It is best to work outdoors when discharge dyeing or somewhere with excellent ventilation.

- Always wear old or protective clothing and rubber gloves and protect the work area with plastic sheet or garbage bags.

- Bleach varies from brand to brand so some experimentation or testing may be needed to get the timing right.

Note

Did you know?

Discharge dyeing actually removes colour rather than adding it. As fabrics discharge differently some blacks discharge to a nice reddish brown, while others go a very pale tan. The moral of the story is test test test!

Please Login or Sign up to share, vote, favourite or comment.