How to Dye Tulle

Co-authored by Emily Zahniser

Last Updated: December 4, 2024

Tulle is a type of thin netting most commonly found in gowns, veils, tutus, and similarly delicate clothing items. The material isn’t always available in a wide variety of colors, but dyeing your tulle can help you change it into almost any shade imaginable

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dip-Dyeing Tulle on a Stovetop

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Before starting the dyeing process, make sure to run your fabric through the washing machine on whatever cycle you normally use for laundry. Doing so will help remove any chemicals that could taint the tint. Though detergent is fine, avoid using fabric softener since it can leave a film on the tulle, leading to an uneven dye job.^{[1]
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2
Fill a disposable pot with water and heat it to a medium temperature. Grab a pot big enough that you can easily and fully submerge your fabric in it. Use a pot you don’t mind ruining, since the dye chemicals may make it unsafe to cook with. Then, fill it about ¾ of the way full with water, place it on a stovetop, and set the heat to a medium temperature.^{[2]
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- Clear the area around your burner, that way you have enough room to manipulate the fabric and nothing gets ruined if some of the dye accidentally spills out.
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3
Pour your dye into the pot. Make sure to open your dye carefully, that way nothing spills out. Before throwing the dye in, check the container to see if there are any mixture-specific instructions you need to adhere to. Then, add the dye to the pot. For average-sized items, expect to use half a bottle of liquid dye or a whole container of powdered dye.^{[3]
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- While handling dye, make sure to wear rubber gloves so you don’t stain your hands.
- If you’re tinting non-natural fabrics like nylon, add up to 1 cup (240 ml) of white vinegar. If you’re dyeing natural fabrics like silk, add in a similar amount of salt instead. This will make the solution more effective.
If you’re using powdered dye, make sure the particles dissolve completely before continuing. If you’re using liquid dye, mix until the solution is one solid color.^{[4]
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Dampen your item with a small amount of warm water. Then, carefully put the fabric into the dye mix. Make sure to fully submerge your item, that way every part of it gets covered with liquid.^{[5]
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Turn the burner to low once the solution starts to boil. Though you should leave your fabric in for at least 30 minutes, keeping it submerged for longer may lead to a more saturated, pleasing color. To make sure your tulle gets even coverage, stir it frequently with a wooden spoon.^{[6]
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When you’re finished dyeing the fabric, turn off the burner and take the tulle out of the water, being careful not to burn yourself. To avoid spilling dye, place the fabric in a small bowl you don’t mind getting ruined. Then, rinse the fabric under hot water to remove any excess dye, shutting off the water only once the color stops running.^{[7]
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To make sure your dye is completely set, run just your tulle through a low-load wash cycle with detergent. Then, place it in the dryer or, if you prefer, hang it out to air dry.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Dyeing Tulle in a Washing Machine

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To remove any chemicals present on your fabric, run it through a simple wash cycle with detergent, using whatever settings you normally do for laundry. Do not use fabric softener as it may hamper the dyeing process by leaving a thin film on the tulle.^{[9]
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To prepare your fabric for the dye mix, change your washer’s temperature setting to hot, then use the soak option to thoroughly dampen the tulle. If necessary, fluff the item after the soak to make sure it is loose and fully extended.^{[10]
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This should not stain the dispenser as long as you rinse it immediately afterwards. Make sure to shake the dye well before putting it in, and wear rubber gloves while handling it to avoid staining your skin.^{[11]
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To flush any excess dye residue out of your detergent slot, fill it with at least an equal amount of hot water. This means that, if you used 1 bottle of dye, you should rinse the dispenser with at least 1 bottle of hot water.^{[12]
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Though you don’t need a lot, adding in some detergent will help better distribute the dye to every spot on the fabric, making sure it tints as evenly as possible.^{[13]
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6
Add 4 cups (950 ml) of hot salt water after 10 minutes of soaking. After adding the dye and detergent, let the tulle soak for about 10 minutes. At that time, put 1 cup (240 ml) of salt in 4 cups (950 ml) of hot water and stir the solution until the salt dissolves. Then, pour the mixture into the detergent slot to help your fabric soak up the dye.^{[14]
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- Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) of vinegar and another 2 cups (470 ml) of hot water if you’re dyeing nylon or silk.
Choose the longest cycle available, making sure to select any extra rinse and spin options, then start the washer.^{[15]
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8
Run the washing machine with warm water and detergent until the tulle stops bleeding ink. Once the dye wash is finished, change your washing machine’s water temperature to warm and pour a capful of soap into the detergent slot. Then, start another long wash cycle, giving your tulle a chance to rinse out excess dye. Once the wash is complete, rinse the tulle under hot water to make sure no dye bleeds out. If some does, keep rinsing until the color stops running. Then, you can dry your fabric in the dryer or on a clothesline.^{[16]
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- You do not need to remove your fabric between washes.
Before cleaning anything else, set your washing machine to the hottest temperature possible with the water level cranked up as high as it will go. Place a few disposable towels into the main chamber, fill the detergent slot with up to 2 cups (470 ml) of bleach or vinegar, and start a wash cycle. Once the cycle ends, mop up any extra dye with the towels.^{[17]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Determining What Dye You Need

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In order to tint properly, nylon tulle needs a significant amount of acid. You can accomplish this by purchasing full acid dyes, which use vinegar to gain their acidic qualities, or all purpose dyes, which mix acid dyes with other solutions.^{[18]
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Polyester is one of the hardest fabrics to dye because it so heavily resembles plastic. However, you can do it with disperse dyes, a form of insoluble dye that is typically only available online or from specialty dye shops. Additionally, companies like RIT are starting to offer synthetic solutions that mimic the effects of disperse dye on polyester.^{[19]
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Rayon is very susceptible to dyes and you can color it with any chemical solution that works on cotton. This includes fiber reactive dyes, direct dyes, all purpose dyes, vat dyes, naphthol dyes, and natural dyes.^{[20]
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More than even rayon, silk holds dye incredibly well and you can tint it with just about any kind. In particular, silk yields good results when submerged in fiber reactive dyes, acid dyes, direct dyes, and vat dyes.^{[21]
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Expert Q&A

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Do I have to prepare the tulle before dyeing?

Emily Zahniser
Sewist and Upcycling Expert
Emily Zahniser is a Sewist based in the Pacific Northwest. She designs and sews garments from vintage and antique textiles. Passionate about sustainability, Emily gives new life to discarded and forgotten fabrics, including upcycling home textiles like bedding and table linens, or deadstock bulk fabrics. Through her fashion brand, Saint Clairs Scissors, she carefully sources, cleans, and mends vintage fabrics, crafting one-of-a-kind pieces that blend nostalgia with a modern, timeless twist. She received a BA in Music from University of Washington and attended a Graduate program at Columbia University’s Manhattan School of Music.

Emily Zahniser

Sewist and Upcycling Expert

Expert Answer

You can wash the tulle to remove any dirt, oils, or factory treatments that could prevent the dye from absorbing evenly. Use a mild detergent and wash it through, but don't dry your tulle completely. Damp tulle absorbs color more evenly and minimizes blotches and uneven spots.

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