WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER DYEING?

If there is one thing we want EVERYONE to keep in mind is… we are here to help and advise you with any post-dyeing issues! Now we’ve got that out of the way, we also really want our customers to understand the general expectations of your post-dyeing experience. As with many facets of this service, the after dyeing instructions will vary depending on your item (or items). In an attempt to target the different information in the best way possible, we have divided it into the following categories: Everyday extra ordinary; Tailored tints & Custom colours; Silks; Woollens; Curtains; Lounge covers; Other homeware. Click on the info most relevant to you.

Why is my order wrinkled and still needs washing??? This may be your first question when you get your items back. And its true, your items will generally look unpressed and need washing. Our machinery is custom built for dyeing, which means they are very slow and gentle, which does not provide the rigorous wash that a washing machine will. So?? When your items are dyed, we use a number of different dyes in order to dye the main fibre, as well as any stitching, buttons, zip tape or trims. This can cause some leftover dye to remain in the seams and weave/knit of the fabric. Washing your item afterwards will remove this excess dye out, so don’t freakout if the water in your washing machine is coloured, the dye is colourfast, it’s just excess dye (and more importantly, don’t wash your newly dyed items with anything other than blacks, just for the first 1-2 washes). We recommend washing your items on a 60°+ cycle with normal detergent. If you’d prefer your item to be dry cleaned and pressed, that is also fine, though we do recommend you let your friendly dry cleaner know that it has just been dyed so they don’t stop mid-process, worried they are removing the colour when it is just that pesky excess dye coming out.

Example of a tensioning machine used by dry cleaners.

But what about SHRINKAGE??? Ah, yes. The most misunderstood element of our service. For a number of reasons, different fabrics can have some shrinkage occur during dyeing. However, if you’ve ever washed a new item of clothing only to find it a bit tight afterwards, you’ll know that just by wearing it for a few minutes, the fabric relaxes back out to it’s original size. This is exactly the same for dyeing. Only in a very small number of cases, will this technique not work. So what if that doesn’t work??? In really stubborn fabrics, particularly silk chiffons, polyesters and some thick cottons, steam and a bit of pressure may be needed. This can be done with a steam iron at home if you know how, or taken to your local dry cleaner to be steam stretched. Before the visit, we recommend you to try the item on and advise the dry cleaner of how much the fabric needs to be stretched (width and length!). Most dry cleaners have “tensioning machines”, which are frames that hold you garment under pressure, while steam is pumped into the fabric, releasing the tension in the fibres (a.k.a the shrinkage). Sometimes it takes a couple of goes but it almost always recovers the shrinkage on those stubborn fabrics.

If you have any concerns, remember, we are here to help!

Before your mind reals, thinking ,“what in the world happened to my tailored/delicate item?!”, let us reassure you, we don’t finish garments ready to wear, so your item is still not finished ready to wear. As we explain above, our machines are customised for dyeing and as such don’t lend themselves to thoroughly washing garments. If your item is ordinarily washed at home you can do so after dyeing - either follow the silk and woollen advice below, or the Everyday extra ordinary instructions above for other fibre types. If, however, you would prefer your item be dry cleaned and pressed, then we do recommend you let your friendly dry cleaner know that it has just been dyed so they don’t stop mid-process, worried they are removing the colour when it is just that pesky excess dye coming out. What is ‘pesky excess dye’? When your items are dyed, we use a number of different dyes in order to dye the main fibre, as well as any stitching, buttons, zip tape or trims. This can cause some leftover dye to remain in the seams and weave/knit of the fabric. Dry cleaning ensures this excess dye is removed before you wear it. Before you visit your dry cleaner, we suggest you try the item on to check for any shrinkage, as they can recover the size during dry cleaning. Most dry cleaners have “tensioning machines”, which are frames that hold you garment under pressure, while steam is pumped into the fabric, releasing the tension in the fibres (a.k.a the shrinkage). Advise your dry cleaner of how much the fabric needs to be stretched (width and length!).

A close up of scuffed silk fabric, resembling a white, dry hue.The most common issue with silk is with the finish. Fundamental to silk’s lustre and sheen, is it’s natural oil content, which can be lost in hot water which, coincidentally, is also the only way to dye silk! Not all silk will do this, however, when it does happen, after dyeing, the finish can look dry and have a whitish fuzzy suede look, either all over or in creases, that can make the colour look light or dull - Thai and raw silk will get this look on the little raised slubs, or thicker threads. At CullaChange, we have developed a process that re-oils the fabric and improves this problem hugely - though in a small number of cases a professional silk finish will need to be put on at a dry cleaner. Ask your friendly dry cleaner if they provide a silk finish, or check our list of CullaCentres to see if there is a silk specialist near you.

Wool and woollen-esque fibres (cashmere, angora, alpaca, etc.) dye really well! The biggest fear our customers have is that their item will felt and shrink. First and foremost, we do everything to take care of your items and have customised machinery specially designed for delicate items and fibres such as wool. For more of an explanation on this, click here to read about what to expect when dyeing wool. As for post-dyeing care, your woollen item simply needs to be washed as you normally would. We recommend using wool wash on the wool cycle of your washing machine. For drying, we recommend you dry your item flat on a wooden or towel-covered surface, keeping in mind that wool holds the shape it has while drying, so pegs and clotheslines can leave puckered areas.

CURTAINS

We make sure your curtains are ready to be hung, however some curtains may need a steam to help any creasing or shrinkage to drop out. Shrinkage? what shrinkage? In dyeing, most fibres will often tighten up which can cause some shrinkage. With curtains this is often not noticeable at all, though if you have backing or they were measured to an exact window size, they may need to be steamed to recover a small amount of length. This can either been done by your local dry cleaner, provided you tell them how many centimetres you need to recover; or this can be done using a hand held iron using the steam setting. Hang your curtains, then run the iron top to bottom, with a bit of downward pressure to help stretch the fabric. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any worries or queries!

LOUNGE COVERS

We will advise you, once your lounge is dyed, as to whether it will need washing before you put the covers back on the couch. In most cases, we prefer you to wash the covers as it is safer for the fabric to put the covers on damp. If they have incurred any shrinkage during dyeing, the damp fabric will relax back to the shape of the cushions and lounge, so long as the fabric is damp. But then I’ll have a wet couch!? Leave the cushions off the lounge, to dry them separately until they and the main cover are fully dry, this will stop the fabric developing mildew.

OTHER HOMEWARES

All other homewares generally don’t have any specific after dyeing instructions. We recommend you wash your items in the same fashion you did before dyeing, keeping in mind that some excess dye may washout so don’t wash them with anything white! If you’re unsure and your item is silk or wool, please read above for more specific instructions. Otherwise, machine-washable homewares can be washed using detergent on a 60° cycle. When your items are dyed, we use a number of different dyes in order to dye the main fibre, as well as any stitching, buttons, zip tape or trims. This can cause some leftover dye to remain in the seams and weave/knit of the fabric. Washing your item afterwards will remove this excess dye out, so don’t freakout if the water in your washing machine is coloured, the dye is colourfast, it’s just excess dye (and more importantly, don’t wash your newly dyed items with anything other than blacks, just for the first 1-2 washes).