hey, is it worth it? i bought a couple of packages in the color i've been looking for to dye some curtains ("Rit" brand), but the package says it's not for tub. i'm nervous about using my boyfriend's washing machine, though. i don't want to stain it pink for life. can i disobey the instructions? or is it truly safe for the poor, overworked machine?

IMO, the stovetop method is usually the best way to go, the colors tend to be darker and there's less fading. I'd also use less than the recommended amount of water- about half or so.

i've only ever done it in the washer, with RIT dye, and it works okay. the color will be lighter than what you anticipate based on the box though.

-S

The machine should be okay if you run it with bleach afterwards. Use double the amount of RIT for better color.

I dyed a pair of velvet curtains a beautiful DARK wine color in my washing machine. They are so lovely that I'm still amazed everytime I look at them. I think I posted about it several months ago.

The curtains I dyed must have been 100% cotton to have worked this well, and I used 4 bottles of liquid RIT dye. 2 wine and 2 purple to be exact. I filled up the tub with HOT water, added the bottes of die and about 4 cups of salt. Added the wet curtains (they were still wet from when i accidently bleached them 30 minutes prior, hence why I was dying them), and reset the agitation cycle 4 times -- totaling about 30 minutes. Immediately afterwards I ran a cold water cycle with plenty of bleach and detergent. Washing machine was absolutely fine afterwards. The next load I washed were towels, and then darks (just to be safe) but I don't even think that was necessary. I would recommend the liquid dye, but be prepared to use quite a bit of it if you want vibrant color.