10 Best Fabric Dyes for Clothing, Upholstery and More (2024)

Rit is arguably the best-known fabric dye brand, and for most projects, you can’t go wrong with its standard liquid solution. It's available in dozens of colors, and it comes in an 8-ounce bottle that can dye up to 2 pounds of clothing.

This particular formula from Rit works on cotton, linen, rayon, silk, wool, and nylon fabrics. You can use a plastic or stainless steel container for dyeing, or follow directions to add the liquid directly to your washing machine. The dye delivers vibrant colors, and the brand even has a library of color recipes that you can consult if you want to mix up a custom hue.

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Synthetic fibers are a bit more challenging to dye than natural materials, but you can change the color of polyester or acrylic fabric (as well as blended fabrics) with the Rit DyeMore Synthetic formula. It’s available in more than a dozen colors, and each 8-ounce bottle can dye up to 2 pounds of clothing.

The synthetic fabric dye works the same way as the traditional Rit formula—you dilute it in hot water and let the fabric soak for 30 to 60 minutes. However, this process should be done in either a plastic or stainless steel container, not a washing machine.

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Fabric dye can be a little pricey, but Jacquard iDye allows you to process more fabric for less. This powder formula comes in 14-gram packets, each of which can dye up to 3 pounds of clothing. The dye works on cotton, linen, silk, and rayon fabric, and it comes in more than 20 vibrant colors.

To get started, simply drop the whole dissolvable packet into hot water, then add in your fabric. You can use it on the stovetop or in the washing machine, and as a bonus, the dye is made in the USA.

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To change the color of any leather goods, such as a belt, shoes, or purse, you’ll need a leather dye like this one from Angelus. The alcohol-based dye is heavily pigmented to restore leather goods or change the color completely.

This dye is available in a wide range of browns, reds, and other popular leather colors, but there are also a few more vibrant shades, such as purple, blue, and yellow. The 3-ounce jar comes with a wool dauber for application, and you simply brush it onto the leather—no rinsing or boiling required. The only caveat is that if you're restoring leather, it may be tricky to find an exact match.

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You can change the color of suede clothing or accessories with Fiebing's Suede Dye. It's available in several colors, including neutral shades like brown and black, as well as more vibrant options such as red, navy blue, and purple. The dye is sold in a 4-ounce container, and it can also be used on leather such as shoes and handbags, and for craft projects.

A wool dauber for application is included in the package, and when the drying process is finished, the fabric remains flexible and won’t peel, crack, or rub off. However, the formula is quite thin, so you’ll want to work carefully to avoid drips.

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Tulip's ColorShot Instant Fabric Color is ideal for furniture upholstery and other fabrics that can't be submerged in water. This product comes in an 8-ounce spray can, which delivers roughly 1 square yard of coverage (based on application of two light coats). It works on both natural and synthetic materials, and the formula dries quickly and stays soft to the touch.

Once the color is dry, it won’t rub off onto clothing—important for furniture—and it also doesn’t cover the weave of upholstery so it maintains its natural appearance. This product doesn’t have the same wide color range as other dyes, but there are still several basic hues to choose from.

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If you want to dye clothing or accessories without boiling them, the S.E.I. Tie Dye Spray is an easy-to-use option. This spray-on formula works on natural and synthetic materials, and the 8-ounce bottles come in a large range of bright colors.

The dye is water-based, making it easy to clean up, and all you have to do is spray the liquid onto the material you want dyed. From there, simply let the material air dry, then heat-set the color using an iron.

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If you prefer powder-based fabric dye—which is often easier to store and ship—Rit All-Purpose Concentrated Dye Powder is a top choice. It’s available in 20 colors, and each package is able to dye up to 1 pound of material.

It’s best used on natural fabrics, such as cotton, linen, silk, and wool, but you can also apply it to materials like paper, wood, and cork. The highly concentrated dye is designed to be dissolved in hot water, and then you process fabric just you would with Rit liquid dyes.

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You can restore the color of your favorite black clothing—or dye other items to this dark hue—with the Rit Back to Black Dye Kit. The kit contains everything needed to revive faded clothing, including gloves and a fixative, which reduces bleeding.

It works on natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, silk, wool, and rayon, and the formula is nontoxic and safe for septic systems. It can be used right in your washing machine, if desired, and users say that it’s able to cover virtually any color.

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This fabric dye is one of the easiest to use, as the whole dyeing process takes place right in your washing machine. All you have to do is toss one of the pods in with clothes, then run a full cycle at either 30 or 40 degrees Celsius (roughly 86 or 104 degrees Fahrenheit). That’s all it takes to dye natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and viscose, and you don’t have to stand over a boiling pot of water.

One pod is able to dye up to 600 grams of fabric—roughly 1.3 pounds—but keep in mind that it won’t work on synthetic fabrics or anything with a waterproof finish.

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