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What are Fiber Reactive Dyes?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Fiber reactive dyes are textile dyes that form a covalent bond with the fibers of the textile, resulting in a long lasting, bright dye. They can be challenging to work with and more expensive than conventional fabric dyes, but many crafters prefer them. Many craft stores sell these dyes, as do some Internet retailers, usually specifying which fibers the dye is designed to work with. In addition to the dye itself, salt and soda ash are necessary to set the color.

The earliest fiber reactive dyes were designed to interact with cellulose fibers, such as cotton, linen, and hemp. When these materials are treated with soda ash to raise their pH, the dye interacts with the cellulose molecules, forming a permanent bond. Other varieties are designed for use with proteins like silk and wool, and some companies also offer variants for polymer-based fabrics like polyester. After the clothing is rinsed and dried, the dye sets, and it will not come out.

A shopping cart full of children's clothing made with fiber reactive dyes.
A shopping cart full of children's clothing made with fiber reactive dyes.

Clothing colored with this type of dye will not bleed when washed or fade, unless exposed to bright light. This is why the dyes are popular for tie-dyes and batik, which often feature brightly colored patterns. They can also be used for solid colors or to paint on an assortment of textiles. The colorfastness and fade resistance makes them excellent choices for children's clothing and other textiles that need to be washed frequently.

Tie-dye patterns use fiber reactive dyes to prevent bleeding when washed.
Tie-dye patterns use fiber reactive dyes to prevent bleeding when washed.

Many consumers also appreciate the eco-friendliness of fiber reactive dyes. Some companies process them with natural ingredients and materials, focusing on creating a product with a minimum of harmful waste. Since the dyes are colorfast, they will not bleed into wash water, leading to a reduction in dye-laden water runoff, which can be harmful for the environment. Dyes made with natural pigments tend to be less brilliant and distinctive, but they can still be quite beautiful.

Garment dye may be used to make tie-dye shirts.
Garment dye may be used to make tie-dye shirts.

To use a fiber reactive dye successfully, a person should always pre-wash the textile being dyed to remove any residual substances that may interact in a surprising way with the dye. Next, the dye should be mixed with non-iodized salt and stirred so that it is evenly distributed before being strained to remove large particles. The fabric should be placed in a big tub with the dye mixture, and stirred regularly for approximately 20 minutes. Afterwards, the fabric is soaked in soda ash to set the dye, and then the mixture is rinsed before being hung to dry.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon344398

What is the difference between basic dye and reactive dye?

anon335266

@anon284179: Reactive dyes, as it says in the post, form a covalent bond with the fibers of the shirt, whereas pigment dyes simply sit in the spaces *between* the fibers of the shirt. Because the reactive dyes are bound to the shirt, the colors are much brighter and never fade the way pigment dyes do. Reactive dyes are also often made with natural materials, like plants and such, which I appreciate.

anon284179

What is the difference between reactive dye and pigment dye on cotton fabric?

anon100926

why is a mild oxidising agent used in reactive dyeing through pad dry chemical pad steam method?

anon66469

I want to know the latest processes of reactive dye.

anon55864

is there any difference between azo dyes and reactive dyes? are they two different things or

are they the same things?

are azo dyes are a type of reactive dyes?

roxxila

what are the differences between reactive dyes and disperse dyes, reactive dyes and sulphur dyes, reactive dyes and azoic dyes.

mitul

What is the different between reactive dye fabric & sulfur dye fabric?

debu

how many types of reactive dye are there??

anon8959

Is normal reactive dye using ciba dyes eco-friendly? What are ciba dyes?

kfs

I'm a weaver and want to know which companies "process the dyes with natural ingredients and materials." Organic cotton and naturally occurring colors tend to be earth tones, but baby blankets (pink, blue, yellow, et. al.) certainly should be made out of safe materials.

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    • A shopping cart full of children's clothing made with fiber reactive dyes.
      By: terex
      A shopping cart full of children's clothing made with fiber reactive dyes.
    • Tie-dye patterns use fiber reactive dyes to prevent bleeding when washed.
      By: flukesamed
      Tie-dye patterns use fiber reactive dyes to prevent bleeding when washed.
    • Garment dye may be used to make tie-dye shirts.
      By: Egorius
      Garment dye may be used to make tie-dye shirts.
    • Fiber reactive dyes are often used to make tie-dyed clothing.
      By: adisa
      Fiber reactive dyes are often used to make tie-dyed clothing.
    • Fiber reactive dyes stay bright, even when washed.
      By: Natalya Solovyeva-Ko
      Fiber reactive dyes stay bright, even when washed.