Why Use Soda Ash with Procion MX Type Dyes?

Glenda Hopp of www.etsy.com/shop/somanycolors/ shows why soda ash is essential when dyeing fabric with Procion MX type dyes.
If you have forgotten to add soda ash at some point during the dyeing process, see this post by Paula Burch: www.pburch.net/dyeing/dyeblog/....
Paula has the most comprehensive site about all types of hand dyeing. For more info about her, see: www.pburch.net/dyeing/aboutthi...
I've learned so much from her site and I highly recommend it for beginning and experienced dyers.

[@angelaelisearndt5979]

I wish there were more of your lessons.

[@SaraSmilesandCreates]

One minute in and it’s already the best video I’ve seen on this!

[@judyblackman4468]

Dear Glenda, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I really wanted to know the difference as you explained it. Bless up. Caribbean girl.

[@4peaceandharmony]

You're the best! Thank you for your methodical approach and explanation.

[@knitntea1672]

This was fascinating! Thank you for sharing ❤

[@handykitchen8121]

I went to some classes for learning batik .. only borrowed the money. I learned many things today. Thank you very much.

[@junerose365]

I'm about to dye some t-shirts and this video is proving invaluable. Thanks for sharing!

[@holsingertl]

Brilliant, best explanation of how and why.

[@astapazniakiene587]

Dear Glenda, all You videos is very helpful! Thank You very much :)

[@judichristopher4604]

You are a fantastic teacher!!!! I loved this tutorial... "Thank YOU" for sharing this... ;)

[@merryjozygel1562]

Thank you thank you for scientific method in your videos. Now I grasp what is going on - wet vs dry, and using soda ash - and can do dip and spot dye techniques with much better control.

[@lunahart]

Thank you for a concise and informative video!

[@MsAshhole69]

thankyou! should i also add salt to the soda ash water mix?

[@MsKritlee]

Very clear explanation with useful information. thank you.

[@PossumPityParty]

What (Procion?)color green is that? I love how it turned out!

[@whytejane]

i thoroughly enjoyed watching your video. well done.

[@bmessenger1022]

Great videos!! Do you use synthrapol for prewash and after wash? Also, do you use urea or calsolene oil to your dye mix?

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

Good job! Questions answered.

[@carolatherly1592]

Just want to make sure i understand something about this video. When i tie dye, after tieing the fabric, i soak in the soda ash and water for about 20 minutes. If I'm understanding, you're saying to use that solution to mix up the dye in the squirt bottles i use instead of just plain tap water, or is it an either/or?

[@trueblue888]

I really like your tutorial... You would be a great teacher.

[@smarcsi48]

This video was very useful. Thank you!!!!

[@rgilbert2380]

My kids (ages 8 and 11) and I have watched your video twice and are ready to begin our tie dye experiment. They think you'd make a pretty cool teacher or grandma :-) Thanks.

[@HernameisSAFFA]

Thx soo much for explaining this...its very clear n precise.

[@got5at12]

HOW DO YOU PRE MIX DYE?

[@TheAvtara]

Great viideo Thanks! Where can I find the link to Paula's site?

[@stardroplet9499]

Very helpful 👍

[@gratefuldoge8598]

Were those gunshots in the background?

[@MrsEmotionalGoddess]

I have watched all of your videos - they are the most helpful on the net! May I ask you to do a video on how to mix the gallon of dye? Or at least can you guide me on the amounts you use? Dye powder to amounts of water? I need to make 6 - yard and a half sections of fabric of decreasing levels of intensity. I believe that once I have the right color combination, I would make a large amount of dye and then decrease the dye amount and increase the water amount for each batch... Am I close?

[@DeeFromTheD]

Yessssss Detroit, love your video

[@ooohlaa13]

OMGosh I just read somewhere 1c soda to 1 gal??? And I left it overnight, hope it didn't disintegrate the cotton yarn?

[@Palouseweaver]

Thanks for sharing a great video 👍🏻

[@blankmandastankman]

U knew it was about to get real when she removed the glasses 👓

[@deadpammy]

Thank you :)

[@spoon951]

very informative, although i will say i am quite surprised how you didn't flinch at what thought was the sound of gun shots? Thanks again :-))

[@aharonkashi]

Dear Glenda, thank you for the wonderful totorial. please let me know why the final color had a tie dye effect and how to get an even solid color . I am attempting to achieve a solid black color on cotton fabric .

[@glendahopp]

To get a solid color you'll need to use the tub dyeing technique. You can search for procion tub dyeing for instructions. If you are dyeing a large piece, you can dye it in a washing machine. Start here www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/washingmachine.shtml and then check out other sites for more information. The trick to solid color dyeing is to keep the fabric moving in the dye solution continuously so that the dye doesn't attach more in one place or another. My piece has more of a tie dye look because the piece wasn't moved around while in the dye solution.

[@dianebranson8441]

Great tutorial! Now I know....haven't tried to dye yet--got all my stuff, just been researching...I learned a lot about PH and how my tap water will influence the result! First time in about 20 different tutorials this was brought up! By the way, you are a confident teacher! Turquoise dye whilst donning a WHITE t-shirt and VERY LIGHT BLUE shirt and pants! I plan on wearing garbage clothes, and putting down an old plastic tablecloth on my floor (live in apartment). I'll mix my stuff up carefully and wear a mask. I heard you don't want to be messy with soda ash as it irritates eyes, nose and throat. Plus I have a cat. I'll shut him in bedroom for that part. Whew! Sure is different than the old RIT DYE days (bleah)...I want a nice vibrant indigo blue without having to actually use real indigo. I have a small kit, but will have to see if my neighbor across the way (she has balcony) would like to try some indigo dyeing one afternoon and I'll get a bucket with a lid as I understand it will keep...crazy how much goes into a successful dye session! Then there's folding and tying fabric, stitching (shibori style)...aaaaaauugggghhhhhh!!!!!! 🤞😳😂🤞

[@harrymyhero]

Was that fabric supposed to be showing that mottled brown? Not what I want at all!!

[@staceyjenkins8956]

Great video thank you very much!☮️☮️☮️

[@ronya1768]

wonderful teacher wish you lived near me to teach me how to do this thanks love you.

[@tiffgibson6430]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

[@catherinegreen7003]

Great advice' Great tutorial. Thank you so much 4 sharing. I have a question 4 you" have you ever made soda ash yourself? (By taking Baking Soda and baking in the oven)? Do you think it would or would not be good?

[@SoManyColors]

+Catherine Green No, Catherine, I haven't. Never knew it could be done until your comment. Since I haven't done it I've found a page on Paula Burch's website and I trust her knowledge. She's a chemist and a dyer! www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/bakingsoda.shtml

[@catherinegreen7003]

+So Many Colors This is why I love KZbin. Constantly learning and meeting beautiful people....

[@manojagunawardena6357]

Soda ash is anhydrous sodium carbonate.

[@junellealvarez586]

why not use the water whit soda ash to mix it whit the dye

[@Luke-kp1px]

Im trying to Dye the frays on my jeans can I use this type of dye and just brush it onto the fibers on the jeans?

[@SoManyColors]

I'd probably try a fabric paint. The procion type dyes need a lot of washing out and if you don't get it all out you could end up with dye on your skin. Choose a fabric paint that dries soft so the frays don't end up stiff. And test it on something similar first, if you can.

[@justadrummer1954]

Luke van Lint spray them with a little spray bottle

[@CurrDawg]

Do these products (procion mx and soda ash) work on canvas and if not what is recommended for that material

[@SoManyColors]

If the canvas is cotton you can use procion mx dyes. Not sure what you want as an end result but you can search "procion mx and canvas" or "fiber reactive dye and canvas" to get some examples of how this is done. If the canvas is not cotton, I don't know enough about other kinds of dye to advise you.

[@CurrDawg]

@@SoManyColors thanks for the reply...just trying to dye a black canvas ball cap that is faded from the sun back to its original darker black

[@michaelsrowland]

What about salt? Do you have to add sslt

[@SoManyColors]

I have never used salt for low water immersion dyeing but do use it to dye solid colors. In low water immersion there is very little water so the dye molecules can fairly easily contact the fabric. When dyeing solid colors you need more water to be able to keep the fabric in motion and salt helps the dye move into the fabric. No reason you can't use salt in low water, though. Here's a good link: www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/salt.shtml

[@kazuto7803]

Pls let me know several hours means actually how meny hours

[@glendahopp]

This is from the Grateful Dyes site and I have found it to be very accurate: "Let the fabric sit for 2-24 hours. The longer you can let the fabric sit, the easier it will be to wash out loose dye from the fabric. The length of time you let the fabric sit is not overly critical. If you are in a hurry, let the fabric sit for as long as your deadline will allow."

[@llanyarias1212]

If you use caustic soda instead of soda ash would it be faster? of can damage the material?

[@glendahopp]

I have never heard of caustic soda being used for fabric dyeing. It can be harmful to humans and I would not recommend using it.

[@llanyarias1212]

@@glendahopp Well we use it in Indonesia for dyeing . I have never dyed with soda ash. So I was wondering if is a thing of speed. But I will try soda ash to see the result. And maybe yes, is less harming than soda ash. Thanks!

[@leonardoherrera4573]

Hermano buenas noches ! Por favor responda en español! Mi teléfono no configura el idioma! Para qué sirve el pre remojo de la prenda en SODaA ASH

[@leonardoherrera4573]

Y cuanto tiempo dejo la prenda en pre remojo! Gracias dios lo bendiga!

[@Nebukadnezzer]

I was wondering. Would this also work with fibers that have a waxy surface, such as raffia palm?

[@glendahopp]

Raffia is a natural fiber so it should work although I've never tried it. I Googled it and found that most people use Rit dye which looks easier.

[@stephensena2798]

is that 1 gallon of water?

[@captainsebastian20]

how much soda ash per gallon ?

[@zoeyy504]

Isn't this very dangerous to deal with such high PH, as 13 or 14? I'm a little scared. I would probably add little by little and wear laboratory clothes?!

[@LiquidTies]

High pH can absolutely be dangerous if you are dealing with a very skin corrosive substance and in concentrated quantities. This is mixed/diluted with water, and is not as skin corrosive as other high pH chemicals. Soda ash can cause burns but it takes a some time and you can wash it off easily, I always wear gloves when handling it, but never lab personal protective equipment.

[@junellealvarez586]

sorry

[@partymeeple5633]

Fabulous video, wonderfully explained. Though google is getting cranky with me constantly asking about quarrts and galloons ect. ~laughs~