How to Keep the Colour in Your Vintage Lingerie

Constant wearing and washing your clothes can cause the colour to fade. The same principle applies to vintage lingerie. Although it is said that soaking your lingerie in white vinegar after you wash it the first can improve its colour lifespan, fading is inevitable. If you notice the colours of your lingerie beginning to fade, you do not have to throw it away. If your lingerie is made out of nylon, silk, wool or rayon you can restore colour by simply dying it.

The type of dye you use on your vintage lingerie depends on the type of fabric. For wool, silk and nylon lingerie, you should use acid dyes. Acid dyes are concentrated powdered hot water dyes that are non caustic, environmentally friendly, and only toxic when used long term. A half ounce bottle of acid dye is capable of colouring up to two pounds of fibres. These dyes are also great to use because they do not fade or wash out easily. In addition to acid dyes, nylon can be dyed with fibre reactive, all purpose, and direct dyes. Fibre reactive dyes are the most permanent of all dyes types. You can wash them with different colours and the colour will not bleed. All purpose dyes can be used to dye nylon, rayon and wool. This type of dye is combination of acid dyes and direct dyes. Although these dyes fade and bleed easily, they are excellent for fibre blends. Direct dyes are inexpensive hot water dyes but they also quickly fade and bleed easily. Disperse dyes can also be used on nylon, but not on rayon or silk. Although the dye does not fade quickly, it is difficult to use.

If your vintage lingerie is made of rayon or silk, several dyes can be used to refresh colour. Acid dyes work well on silk, but not rayon. Under normal pH conditions, fibre reactive dyes are great for rayon lingerie. All purpose dyes and direct dyes also will work on rayon. The best dyes for silk (and nylon) are Lanaset dyes. Lanaset dye is an acid dye. Unlike other acid dyes, lingerie dyed in Lanaset can be washed in hot water without fading. Although Lanaset dyes are more expensive than the other dyes, they are the most effective at dying silk and nylon lingerie.

When your vintage lingerie begins to fade, do not throw them away. Restore colour to your lingerie by dying them. The best dyes for silk and nylon are Lanaset, while fibre reactive dyes are more effective on wool and rayon. Acid dyes are also a wonderful option for wool, silk, and nylon lingerie. If you are interested in using an all purpose dye, they work great on nylon, rayon, and wool. If you cannot afford the other dyes or want to be thrifty, you can always turn to direct dyes. Hopefully these tips will save you a lot of money and the trouble of replacing your vintage lingerie.

How To Keep The Colour In Your Vintage Lingerie
How To Keep The Colour In Your Vintage Lingerie
How To Keep The Colour In Your Vintage Lingerie
How To Keep The Colour In Your Vintage Lingerie
How To Keep The Colour In Your Vintage Lingerie