As the weather gets colder, our home dye studios move inside. I do production dyeing and all my personal dyeing in my kitchen and my printing in a small corner of a room that my husband and I share. (It isn’t limited to those two spaces: ask my kitchen table, basement, etc…).
You might find that you work better out of our home. It allows the flexibility to be able to be indigo dyeing at one moment, and making lunch the next. This doesn’t work for everyone, and I understand a lot of artists find having a firm boundary between work and home. For me, the two are undeniably intertwined.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard from several people asking how to make this work: how to dye in small spaces, find balance in home and studio life, and prioritize comfort and safety. As I have been in production dye mode for the holidays, I have also given this a lot of thought. This is the reality for most of us dyers: working out of our kitchens.
Plenty of articles online will tell you how to “set up a home dyeing studio,” as if it’s a permanent installation. But a real home dye studio? It’s more like a pop-up. You set it up, break it down, clear the counter so you can cook dinner, then bring it all back out again.
So, how do you make this work? Both logistically and in terms of finding balance and ease in a home dye studio. The truth is: you don’t need a lot of space to comfortably dye at home. But there are a few things that will certainly help make it easier and more enjoyable.
The reality: sometimes your sink makes for the best drying rack.
Safety
First and foremost, we have to address safety. If you have taken my classes, you have heard me say this before. While natural dyeing is a more benign process than working with synthetics, there are a few things to be cautious of.
- Keep all dye pots and tools separate from cooking pots and tools.
- When working with fine particles and heavy metals, always wear an N95 mask or, even better, a respirator.
- Store and label your dyestuffs. You can keep metal salts safely sealed in a jar or double bagged in zip locks.
- If you are measuring out heavy metals or fine particles indoors, do so away from kids or pets.
- If possible, work in a well ventilated space when doing so. If you are able to, you can always quickly step outside (if it isn’t too cold!) to measure out your ferrous sulfate.
- Wear gloves when working with metal salts.
- If you’re like me and you have a young kiddo, baby proof!
- Wash your hands! After I measure out metal salts, I wash my hands. Even if I am wearing gloves.
- You may also consider and apron -- I have found that metals (especially ferrous sulfate) linger on the skin, hair, and clothes.
Dyeing at Home Based on Technique
The first tip I have for preparing for dyeing in your kitchen is to clear your sink! Do you dishes if you like (or hide them somewhere). It is so much easier to start your dye session with a cleared out sink.
In terms of finding ease in your space, there are two logistical points you'll consider: how to actively dye without taking up too much space, and how to store all of your designated dye equipment. This will look different depending on the technique you choose to work with. So, I am breaking my suggestions down by dye method.
Indigo Dyeing
When dyeing with indigo indoors, it is helpful to work in a compact space. A 5-gallon bucket sized vat is the easiest size to keep in smaller spaces.
- To prevent spills and drips, consider putting a drop cloth under your bucket, have a second empty bucket directly next to your vat to drip into, and/or nest your vat inside of a plastic storage tote.
Nesting an indigo vat and drip bucket in a large storage tote is the best way to indigo dye indoors.
- Another option is to nest your indigo vat in your bathtub when it is time to dye.
- Once you are done dyeing, have another bucket or pot next to your drip bucket to easily transfer the fabric right to your kitchen sink. You can oxidize your indigo dyed fabric under running water, or set up a clothesline over your bathtub with a drop cloth inside to catch the drips.
- For bucket storage, stack your buckets. If you are really tight on space, nest your indigo vat in empty buckets until you are ready to dye again. I let my buckets dry out completely before I nest them. If they are still wet, you risk them sticking together.
Mordanting
In order to mordant fabric in a home space, we’ll first be extra cautious of any cross contamination or inhalation of metal salts (re: safety).
After weighing out metal salts, immediately dissolve them in hot water. I simply use my tea kettle for this. Pro tip: if you have extra yogurt or takeout containers, these come in handy for measuring out materials.
Tannin and mordants have a half life. That means, after mordanting a batch of fabric, 50% of the mordant material is left in your bath. You can continue to recharge and reuse mordant baths.
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Disposal of mordant baths:
- On municipal systems, dilute with water before pouring down the drain or toilet.
- On septic: double check with your maintenance company.
- Diluted alum or tannin baths can be poured onto acid-loving plants, or (in some cases -- always check) diluted and poured onto asphalt.
Adjective Dyeing
This is where your kitchen stove comes in to the picture. If you have a little extra space and would rather not dye on your stove top, you can also invest in an electric induction burner.
- When you are dyeing, keep a spare empty pot next to your hot dye pot so you can easily move fabric from the hot pot to the sink without dripping on the ground.
- Batch your work: mordant one day (or season), dye the next. This can reduce clutter and just generally help your brain know what to expect.
- For storing pots and tongs -- nest them whenever possible or invest in an overhead pot storage rack that you can mount from the ceiling.
- Have an absorbent towel (or paper towels) and a spray bottle of diluted vinegar nearby; a quick cleanup prevents staining.
- In freezing temperatures -- do not leave your pots filled with liquid outside. If the liquid freezes, pots can expand and crack. (RIP my 40-quart enamel pot... I still miss you).
Keeping it Clean
Take it from me -- If something spills, it’s a good idea to clean it up immediately. This is especially true for madder and indigo. And yes, I could stand to take my own advice here.
- Take this one or leave it -- wear gloves when you are working inside. (I have so many indigo and madder finger prints scattered across the walls of my house.)
- Keep one or two empty pots or buckets nearby your dye pots to capture drips.
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"Magic Sponges" work wonders
- You can make your own mgaic eraser (without the microplastics) by mixing 1/2 cup hot water, 1 tbsp baking soda, and 1 tbsp borax. Soak a sponge or rag for a minute, ring out, and use.
- When I first started dyeing over a decade ago, I rinsed everything in my porcelain sink. I was always able to get stains out with a magic eraser.
- This has not been the case with powder coated materials (re: washing machine), so be extra careful to rinse out dyed garments before you throw them in the wash.
- Do not set wet, unrinsed fabric on wood surfaces. They can discolor and warp.
Final Notes for a Home Dye Studio
- A home studio is never static. Your set up will evolve with your life. Through different equipment, apartments, family systems… (it’s really quite poetic).
- Space limiting -- but you can never have enough spare buckets and pots.
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Keep a notebook or your phone nearby for jotting down what you’re doing; home dyeing can be wonderfully chaotic if you don’t keep track. Take pictures if note taking is not your style.
- If you're looking for a guide on equipment and materials for getting started with natural dyeing, check it out here.
- If you would like more customized support, I offer one-on-one natural dye consultations. We can discuss a specific project, your workspace, or whatever you want my feedback on.
- It is not always a pretty scene! And that's okay. What matters is you are making space to create.
Most importantly, make the space support you. Dyeing at home is deeply personal. The work can coexist with daily life if you allow yourself to build systems that fit your rhythm. These are just a few tips that have worked for me over the years. I would love to hear yours!
