Restore Faded Clothes NZ

Read the label before choosing a dye

Can this garment be dyed?

Cotton, linen or viscose

These are good starting points for DYLON. For Machine Dye Pods, the garment must also tolerate the specified full 40°C cotton wash and fit loosely in a suitable front-loading machine.

A blended fabric

Check every fibre percentage. DYLON advises against its domestic dyes when synthetic content exceeds 20%; lower-synthetic blends can still finish lighter. Stretch denim needs its own label and care check.

Synthetics or special finishes

Pure polyester, nylon and elastane do not take domestic DYLON dye. Coatings and stain-resistant finishes also affect results. Compare specialist methods before buying.

This DYLON fibre advice is product-specific. Rit products have their own compatible fibres and methods. See DYLON’s fabric guide or ask us with the garment’s fibre percentages and care label.

Set the right expectation: dye adds colour; it cannot make dark fabric lighter. Bleach damage, stains, prints and uneven wear may remain visible. Stitching, zips and trims may keep their original colour. Test a hidden swatch where possible.

Choose a method that fits the garment

Restore faded black clothes

Dylon machine fabric dye pod in Intense Black

Front-loading washing machine

DYLON Intense Black pod

For suitable cotton, linen and viscose clothing that can take the full machine-dye cycle. Salt and fixing agents are included in the pod.

Plan by weight: one pod covers up to approximately 600g of suitable dry fabric at full shade.

Shop Intense Black pods

Dylon Intense Black hand fabric dye, 50g packet

A smaller hand-dye project

DYLON Black Hand Dye 50g

For suitable smaller items using the warm hand-dye method. Choose “Intensive Black/Velvet (12)” on the product page.

Plan by weight: one sachet covers about 250g of suitable dry fabric at full shade. The standard bath requires 250g of salt, bought separately.

Shop Black Hand Dye

Denim is a fabric construction: check its fibre blend

Refresh faded blue jeans

Dye + fixative + gloves

Rit Back to Blue Denim Kit

Bold Blue All-Purpose Dye with ColorStay Dye Fixative and gloves. Choose for compatible fabric and follow Rit’s hot dye-bath instructions.

The box’s shade chart determines dye quantity for your dry fabric weight and desired blue. The existing denim colour will affect the result.

Shop Back to Blue

Read Rit’s Back to Blue method. Other bath supplies are required; follow the kit list.

Dylon machine fabric dye pod in Jeans Blue

Machine-dye option

DYLON Jeans Blue pod

The same all-in-one pod format in Jeans Blue, for denim whose fibre content and care instructions suit DYLON’s machine method.

Use the 600g-per-pod dry-weight guide below. “Jeans Blue” describes the dye shade; it does not guarantee an exact match to the jeans’ original finish.

Shop Jeans Blue pods

Weigh it dry · then choose quantity

How much dye should I buy?

A pair of jeans is not a standard weight. Weigh the whole dry garment, including trims, and use the instructions for the exact dye you choose.

DYLON Machine Dye Pod guide	Pods for full shade*
Up to 600g dry fabric	1 pod
Over 600g, up to 1200g	2 pods
Over 1200g, up to 1800g	3 pods

*Calculated from DYLON’s approximately 600g-per-pod guidance for suitable fabrics. This is a buying guide, not a guarantee of colour depth or permission to overload the machine. Follow the pack’s pod and load limits, keep fabric loose, and split into batches if needed. For larger loads, check the full instructions before buying.

DYLON Hand Dye

Use approximately one complete 50g sachet per 250g of suitable dry fabric for full shade. Follow the hand-dye packet for water, salt and larger-bath quantities.

Rit kits and liquid dyes

Use Rit’s own weight, shade and method guidance. The DYLON 600g pod calculation does not apply. Back to Blue has a shade chart; deeper colours can need more dye.

Source: DYLON machine-dye guidance. Select the required quantity on the product page after checking the pack instructions.

Prefer a Rit black dye option?

Rit All-Purpose Black

A 236ml bottle for compatible fibres using Rit’s selected dyeing method. Choose Black and calculate the amount from dry fabric weight and desired depth.

Shop Rit Black

For appropriate cotton, linen, rayon or ramie projects, ColorStay Dye Fixative is sold separately. Apply as directed after dyeing.

Rit Back to Black Kit

Jet Black All-Purpose Dye, ColorStay Dye Fixative and gloves in one kit. Check current availability and fabric suitability on the product page.

The kit already includes fixative; there is no need to add a second bottle unless your project’s calculated quantity requires it.

View Back to Black kit

Choose one dye method. DYLON Machine Dye Pods already include salt and fixing agents. Rit ColorStay is a separate treatment for compatible fibres; it is not a required extra for the DYLON pod method. Colour Catcher sheets are laundry aids, not dye fixatives.

Before the first dye cycle

1. Prepare

Check fibre content and care instructions, weigh dry, then pre-wash. Gather the supplies listed on the chosen pack. Wear gloves and protect surfaces for a hand dye bath.

2. Follow one recipe

Use the exact product’s water temperature, additives, dye amount and timing. Allow the fabric to move freely and complete the prescribed process.

3. Finish properly

Complete the rinse, after-wash and equipment-cleaning steps. Follow the product and garment instructions for drying and subsequent washing.

Faded-clothing questions

Will dye hide bleach spots or sun damage?

Not reliably. Damaged or stained areas can take colour differently from the rest of the garment. A darker dye is not an opaque repair, and an even finish cannot be promised.

Can I turn faded blue jeans black?

It may be possible on suitable fabric. Check the fibre percentages, any finishes and care label first. Choose a compatible black dye and calculate quantity by dry weight. The original shade and synthetic stitching can still affect the appearance.

Can I use DYLON pods in a top loader?

The pods featured here are intended for a front-loading washing machine. Do not use a top loader unless your exact pack explicitly supports it. Compare the hand-dye options and their instructions if the pod method does not suit your machine.

Do I need an extra salt or fixative product?

DYLON Machine Dye Pods already contain their salt and fixing agents. DYLON Hand Dye needs salt. Rit additives and fixative requirements depend on the product, fabric and method; the Back to Black and Back to Blue kits already include ColorStay.

Will the dye restore the original stonewashed denim look?

A new dye layer can alter contrast and the worn-in pattern. It may deepen colour without recreating the original factory finish. Compare a test result where possible before treating a favourite garment.