- 1). Clean the dress following the instructions on the label. If the label is missing, wash the dress in cold water. Thoroughly dry the dress.
- 2). Put on the rubber gloves, and make sure you have adequate ventilation before you begin. Fill the bucket with four parts water to one part bleach. Put the dress in the bucket.
- 3). Leave the dress in the bleach for five minutes, then remove. If the dress isn't bleached lighter than the color of dye you intend to use, put it back in for one minute intervals until you are satisfied. Rinse all of the bleach from the garment.
- 4). Fill one pot with 8 cups of water and 1 cup of salt or vinegar. Mix well. Add the dress. Simmer on the stove top for one hour.
- 5). Add the dye to the second pot. If you are using a commercial dye, follow the instructions on the package. If you are using a natural dye, prepare it and add it to the pot. Set the second pot to medium heat.
- 6). Wring out the dress before you add it to the dye pot. Put it in the dye pot and simmer for at least 30 minutes. Stir the dress and dye with the broom handle or wooden spoon. If the color isn't as desired, continue to simmer, checking every 10 minutes until you are satisfied. Once you are happy with the color, turn off the heat and allow the pot and dress to cool. Hang to dry.
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