Baby Safe Dyes

What dyes are baby safe?

Recommended dyes are powdered Tulip (available at most craft stores, Walmart, etc), Dylon (available at some craft and fabric stores), Dharma (available online), and Custom Colors (available through eBay.)

NOT recommended dyes included RIT, premixed liquid dyes like Tulip’s tie dyes, and iDye.

Why?

A “baby safe” dye is fiber reactive. What does this mean? It means that in the dyeing process, the dye chemically bonds to the fibers and cannot be dissolved off of them with water.

Dyes such as RIT and iDye are not fiber reactive - kind of like paint, the dye simply sits on top of the fibers and sticks to them, but water can cause small amounts of dye to dissolve back off the fabric.

Why does this matter? Babies chew on carriers. It’s what they do. The saliva in their mouths then dissolves non-fiber-reactive dyes and they swallow it. Is swallowing dye harmful to a baby? I’m not sure any extensive studies have been done, but I’d rather my baby not test it out.

Can I dye polyester safely?

No. Because polyester is essentially plastic, the only way to permanently color it is to melt the color into the fibers when it is first produced. Dyes like iDye simply sit on top of the fibers and can be ingested if the fabric is chewed on.

Do babies REALLY chew/suck on baby carriers that much?

Yes. Yes they do.

What is soda ash and do I need it?

Soda ash is Sodium Carbonate (which is chemically different from Sodium Bicarbonate, which is baking soda.) Soda ash raises the pH to the dye bath the help the dye bond to the fabrics. That results in more vivid colors and a more permanent dye job requiring less dye.

Dye packets like Dylon and Tulip DO contain some soda ash, but it is HIGHLY recommended to add more for decent results.

Soda ash is also used to scour osnaburg (basically a deep cleaning process that makes it more receptive to dye.) See the woven wrap tutorial in the files for more details on scouring osnaburg.

Where can I buy soda ash?

Tulip does sell packets of soda ash at craft stores. I do not recommend buying this simply because its very little soda ash and you will likely pay too much for what you need.

Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (on the laundry aisle) is sodium carbonate. If you use washing soda, use a little extra since it is not as potent as straight soda ash.

PH+ in pool supplies at Walmart, a pool supply store, or online (just double check the ingredients - again, you want sodium carbonate.)

Make your own out of baking soda. Baking baking soda chemically changes it, removing a carbon and changing sodium BICARBONATE into sodium CARBONATE.

Can I bleach/strip my baby carrier?

DO NOT use chlorine bleach on ANY baby carrier. Bleach weakens/damages the fibers making them more prone to tearing. Color stripper (made by RIT) can be used on woven wraps and ring slings (protect your rings though - it'll ruin the finish.) Color stripper should NOT be used on stretchy wraps or any seamed carriers (mei tais, buckle carriers, onbus, etc.)

For the most thorough advice and support, we recommend the (unaffiliated) Facebook group Dyed Baby Carriers! They have a wealth of experience and information.

-- Alyssa Leonard - 2016-07-16

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