Then, I remembered this li'l trick.
Faded-ole' jeans + Black Rit Dye = "New" jeans!
That's right, my favorite pair of old jeans thrown in the washer with a packet of black rit dye {$1.78 at Wal-Mart}, and they come out looking as good as new!
(You all have to thank my friend Brooke for this sheer brilliance. I take no credit, besides appreciating the brilliance :)
Meet faded-ole'-jeans #1, before:
after!
Pair #2, before:
after!
It seems a little personal to post pics of my jeans. You now know I'm not one to iron jeans, or iron much of anything, really. Pardon our wrinkles :) And, I'm horrible at remembering to check the pockets. Which is bad when your kids stick crayons in their pockets. But fun when you pull out a freshly-dyed kleenex:
Follow the package directions, and here are some tips:
- I have thrown in some of the boys' shirts before with a pair of jeans. Bright yellow dyed in black turns a neat-dark-mustard color. White turns a purplish-blueish-gray shade, like the above kleenex. It works well if you have a kids' shirt that has a stain that won't come out - just dye the whole shirt!
- I use 1/2 a bottle for 2 pairs of jeans (what I did for the above 2 pairs) OR 1 packet per pair of jeans (you could add a few kids' shirts in the load too).
- Be sure to use hot water, and dissolve the dye in the water before adding the jeans.
- Start the washing cycle, then stop it to let the jeans sit in the water for 1 hour total, starting and stopping now and then to mix it up so that it dyes evenly.
- If it leaves your washer with a blackish tint, wash a load of darks or rags next. It will come out. I haven't ever had a problem with the dye rubbing off on the next load.
Cost breakdown:
1 bottle of black rit dye = $2.99 {will dye 3-4 pairs of jeans}
1 packet of black rit dye = $1.71 {will dye 1 pair of jeans and some shirts}
If you're unsure, test it on something you're throwing out anyway. Hey, it's worth a try! You just might get your favorite ole' jeans back for less than a buck!
What a great, great idea! Sarah, I'm always gleaning from all your ideas, thank you! Please keep sharing them!
ReplyDeletehee hee. thanks for the credit. and all of this came about because I had to have black pants for work or something, and tried to dye my jeans black so I didn't have to buy new ones.:)
ReplyDeleteI remember you telling me about this. I thought it turned them black so I have never tried it!! Good to know :)Sooo looking forward to your visit. Let's chat soon to figure out a few details...like arrival time etc. :) Love you friend. Happy V-day, one day early!
ReplyDeletetara! thanks for your sweet words, so glad you like them!
ReplyDeletebrooke, my pleasure - i love giving you credit for all your awesome ideas. you are a human-pinterest :)
jules, if those jeans can make it 27 more days, i can give dye them myself, AND make you a blueberry milkshake ;) love YOU!
I've done this before but how many times do you have to wash them before they don't run with your other clothes?
ReplyDeleteHey Wendy! I dye them in the washer, then dry and wear them. I haven't had a problem with the stain running onto other clothes, but I wash them with a load of jeans for the 1st time in case.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Can't wait to see you guys!!