Dye Class Safety Homework
Although the acid dyes we use in out workshops are quite safe, there are still some risks involved, especially if you use them long-term.  Rather than take class time to review these safety tips, we've developed this short briefing.  The information will also be in your class notes, so don't worry about trying to write it all down!

At the end of the briefing, you will be asked to acknowledge that you read through it.  This is just so we know we've covered everyone in the class.  

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Introduction

  • We are doing acid dyeing with a protein yarn (wool).  Acids used are generally acetic acid (white vinegar at 5%) and citric acid (bath salts and Kool-Aid).
  • Dyeing is a chemical bond between the dye molecules and the fiber molecules. 
  • For dyeing to take place you need three things:
  1. Acid  - acts as catalyst that makes the dye molecules “bite” into the fiber. 
  2. Heat - provides energy to make the reaction happen.  It “sets” the color
  3. Time - for the dye molecules to wander around until they and an acid molecule find a receptive spot on the fiber at the same time.

Safety - First and Foremost!
  • Powder of any kind in your lungs isn’t great:
  •      ALWAYS WEAR A MASK OR RESPIRATOR WORKING WITH DYE POWDERS
  •      DYE IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA
  • Remember -You are a protein and will dye too
  •      WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING, SHOES, AND GLOVES
  • Mom’s not here
  •      CLEAN UP MESSES AS THEY HAPPEN
  • Good tools are to dye for, not from
  •      ANY DYEING EQUIPMENT REMAINS DYEING EQUIPMENT - ONLY
  • Some dye stocks sorta look like Kool-Aid
  •      NO EATING, DRINKING, OR SMOKING WHILE OR AROUND DYEING
Mixing Equipment

The lists on the next few pages are for your notes and are not what you need to bring to the workshop.  We will have almost everything for you.  Please wear old clothing and close-toed shoes.  Bring a pen or pencil (we'll have notes for you to write on).  Some people like to wear eye protection.

Essential

  • Mask or respirator
  • Gloves (nitrile or latex)
  • Apron
  • Permanent marker - Authentic 3M Sharpies
  • Whisk/spoon
  • Pyrex, plastic box, or pan for mixing
  • Work area protection (eg. damp newspaper)
  • Stock storage bottles (distilled water jugs, canning jars, etc.)
  • Paper/cotton towels 
  • Volume measuring equipment

Nice to Have

  • Magnetic stirrer, beaker, magnetic stir rods
  • Clean-box
  • Syringe (1ml, marked in 100ths)
  • Graduated cylinder / flask or 1 liter bottles of water
  • Balance or Scale (at least .1g accuracy, better at .01g)
  • TOD Spoons (Triple Over Dye, or Grey’s / Gray’s Spoons)
  • Funnel
Cooking Equipment

Essential

  • Heat source (stove, crock pot, oven,
  • electric roaster, deep fryer, hot plate)
  • Large pot (stainless steel, enamel)
  • Quart/pint jars
  • Apron
  • Thermometer
  • Vinyl Tube, chopsticks, skewers (point down!) for individual jars
  • Masking or painter’s tape or Tyvek for labels
  • Acid Dyes
  • White Vinegar, 5% or
  • Citric Acid Powder (use 1 Tbl + 1 gal water to approximate white vinegar)
  • Dish Soap – wetting agent (no bleach!)

Nice to Have

  • Timer
  • Bright light
  • pH Meter / Strips
  • Heat resistant gloves
  • Albegal Set (AKA A-Set)
  • Glauber’s Salt
  • Jar lifter 
Background Information

1% Dye Stock                           is             1gram dye powder in 100ml water

DOS 1 (Depth of Shade)         is           1gram dye powder per 100 grams of yarn

Exhausted Dye Bath                is           Dye molecules are bonded to the yarn (water appears clear)

Metric –vs– English measures.  Depth of Shade (DOS) and percentage calculation depends on accurate measurements.  I find the metric system to be easier.   You can, however, make predictable colors using English measures; you just need to be consistent in how you mix your stock solutions, and keep good records.  

DOS and Dye Stock Percentage Illustration
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