• Rit All-Purpose Dye
• Container Big Enough for Shade
• Salt
• Dish Detergent
• Paper Towels
• Paintbrush (Optional if Ombré Dyeing)

One of the most surprising and fun items to transform with dye are lampshades. Most people don’t realize you can dye them! Try it with one of our amazing dye shades or match the lamp shade to your bedding by finding that perfect colour in our colour formulas library. You could even try creating something really unique with an ombré or dip dyed look.

Colour
If the lampshade you are dyeing is white or off white, then you should be able to achieve true colour. If the shade has an existing colour, then you can overdye it with a darker colour.

Patterns and Logos
If the lampshade you are dyeing has a pattern or logo, the colour you use will mix with the existing colour(s) in the fabric and create new colours. In other words, the rules of colour mixing apply. When selecting a colour, think about how it will mix with the colours in the pattern. For example, if you were to use a blue dye on a white lampshade with a pink flower pattern, the pink flowers will turn purplish (blue and pink make purple) while the rest of the lampshade will dye blue. Even if you were to overdye the patterned lampshade with a dark colour, you may find that the colour will appear lighter along the patterned area.

Bleach Stains and Sun Damage
Sun and bleach actually damage lampshades, making it very difficult to dye.

1. Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills.
   
   
2. Before you start to dye, check the container you are going to use to make sure the depth and width are big enough to accommodate the shade.
   
   
3. Fill container with enough hot water to cover the shade. The water should ideally be 60°C. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
   
   
4. Wearing rubber gloves, add dye. Start with 120 mL of Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye or one packet of Rit All-Purpose Powder Dye.
   
   
   
5. To enhance the colour, add one cup of salt. Add 5 mL of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
   
   
6. Stir well.
   
   
7. Test colour by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If colour is too light, add more dye. If colour is too dark, add more water.
   
   
8. For a solid dye: Immerse lampshade into dyebath. The longer the shade stays in the dyebath, the darker the colour will be. When satisfied with colour, remove shade from dyebath. Shade will look darker when wet and will dry lighter.
   
   
   
9. For an ombré dye: Dip bottom half of lampshade into dyebath. Move lamp shade slowly up and down. The longer the lamp shade stays in the dyebath, the darker the colour will be. When satisfied with colour, remove shade from dyebath. Shade will look darker when wet and will dry lighter. Use wide paintbrush to apply dye to missed areas.
   
   
10. Rinse in cool water until water runs clear.
    
    
11. Let dry before use.