Dyeing Reed, Rattan & Wood with Procion MX Dyes

Dying Reeds & Rattan

1. The reeds usually come tightly coiled and should be re-tied loose enough for the dye to flow between them.
2. Soak the reeds in hot water I hour to clean them and to wet them for dyeing.
3. Prepare dyebath: Combine 1 gallon hot water, 1 Tbl dye paste & 1/2 cup salt. Stir until mixed
4. Put the wet reeds into the dyebath and stir (turn coils over) every 10 minutes.
5. When the reeds have absorbed the dye enough to be the color you want (the reeds will dry to a shade half as dark as when wet) add 1/3 cup soda ash dissolved in I cup hot water to fix the dye.
6. Leave reeds in dyebath for up to 2 hours after adding soda ash.
7. Rinse reeds under cold, running water.

Dyeing Wood with Procion MX Dyes

Tub Dye Method: The wood can be dyed according to the standard Procion MX tub dyeing instructions* and left to set in the dyebath for 12 hours after the soda ash has been added.

Direct Application Method: Apply the dye, soda ash and water directly to the wood as in the standard tye dye*. Let the wood set 4 to 24 hours and rinse.

These are just two of many methods that can be used to apply dyes to wood.

Although the Procion MX dyes were not developed specifically for dyeing wood, pastel and water color effects can be achieved on untreated wood. Sometimes the addition of a small amount of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol from the drug store) will greatly increase the penetration of the dye solution into the wood.

Removing Procion MX Dyes

Color Remover (Thiourea Dioxide) is commonly used to remove enough color to redye. See the catalog under Chemicals. Ordinary color removers available in grocery or drug stores will also work well on the Procion MX dyes. Any kind of bleach (liquid or powder) will remove Procion MX dyes to white in most cases.

*See our pamphlet "Instructions for Procion AMFiber-Reactive Dye"