Dharma Hot Water Reactive Dyes

Due to price increases and availability, we will be phasing out all of the Dharma Hot Water Dye colors. 

Dharma has actually carried a Hot Water Fiber Reactive Dye for decades, our #250 - Jet Black. We carried it because folks wanted a black for tub dyeing (solid color) that would be darker than anything you could get with Procion type "cold water" Fiber Reactive Dyes. Jet Black filled the bill. Then a couple of years ago, we brought in another Hot Water Fiber Reactive Black, our #275 - Hot Black, to give you all a less expensive choice.

Now we've decided to bring in a broader selection of Hot Water Fiber Reactive Dye colors for you. They have chemical reactivity in the presence of Soda Ash similar to the "cold water" Procion type Fiber Reactive Dyes, only because they are less volatile or reactive, they need warmer temperatures. But this gives them an advantage too, more stability in water. Because of the heat requirement (dye baths should ideally be 130-150° F), these dyes work better for solid color "tub dyeing" than for colder water techniques like tie-dye & batik. BUT, you can use them for tie-dye & low immersion techniques if you batch (cure) them really warm, like all day in the sun under black plastic, or under an electric blanket (in the winter). More time makes up for less heat. Otherwise, use them just like our other Dharma Fiber Reactive (Procion type) dyes, SAME RECIPES, just add heat or longer curing times. We've gotten very good tie-dye results by curing them 24-48 hours in regular room temperatures actually, except that blacks really do need the warmer temps. With acid (for dye baths) or steaming (for painting), these dyes, just like Procion, can also be used on silk and wool.

These are pure uncut colors, very similar to the Procion pure colors (notice the same names for the ones that look alike), only even more intense, that can all be used at 2% OWG for a medium shade, except the blacks** (7 - 8% OWG) We also made a couple of green mixes, a brown mix and a deep purple mix, as those colors are not available in a "pure" state, to fill out the selection. We have added a new, redder black, that is really deep, Ebony Black**.

And, that's not all - You (our Fiber Reactive Dye customers) have been asking for the new Neutral Grey that some other vendors carry, that is a pure grey, not a mix. When we started our quest and bought some, we found that it was NOT a Procion type cool water Fiber Reactive Dye at all. In our tub dye test, at 2% OWG, a normal amount for a grey, we got a light misty grey at best. But in a HOT water dye bath, and a 24 hour tie-dye cure test, we did get a nice medium grey tone. And the dye does NOT split. It also came out a wonderful grey on wool and silk, by the way. It is indeed a pure grey. So, we have added it to our line of new Hot Water Fiber Reactives. Using it like a Procion, it gives a lovely cool light grey. Using it in hot water, it gives a deep neutral grey. We have yet to test it for low immersion techniques like ice dyeing.

ADVANTAGES OF USING THESE DYES:

*They store longer than Procion type dyes once mixed with water - at least 2 weeks, longer if refrigerated. (Powder has a longer shelf life too - several years vs 1 - 2, for Procion.) No need to toss unused dye stock!

*Hot water Blacks are darker when tub dyeing than any of the Procion type blacks.

*NEW Ebony Black** (** means use 4 times as much dye to get it dark - 7-8% OWG) - adding to our stable of blacks - a VERY dark reddish black

*NEUTRAL GREY - what you have all been asking for - NOT a mix, doesn't split! Can be used for tie-dye or ice dye if cure long enough.

*BRILLIANT BLUE is the closest dye to a perfect Blue we have EVER seen! Slightly darker and even more intense than the Procion color Cerulean.

*Some dye houses have switched to this dye instead of Procion type dyes because these dyes use less water to wash out the excess, IF they are well fixed with enough heat, & you're not using too much, so if you are conserving water...

* Will also dye silk & wool using acid, hot dye baths or steam, just like Procion. With the blacks, on protein, they usually also don't come out black. Each one will have a different cast. But the Neutral Grey does come out a nice grey on silk and wool.

Dharma Hot Water Fiber Reactive Dyes - Usage Instructions

Basic Tie-Dye

Basic Tub Dyeing

Pre-Washing

Dye Permanency

Dyeing Silk & Wool

About Black Dye

Tie-Dyeing Silk in a Microwave

Painting or Printing with Hot Water Fiber Reactive Dye

Dissolving Dharma Fiber Reactive Dye Powder