How to Dye a Rug to Bring It Back to Life
Do you have an old rug that is faded or stained? Rather than throw it out, you could breathe new life into a rug by dyeing it.
This is easier to do than you might think, and it gives terrific results that will give you a spectacular new item to use in your home.
Learn how to dye a rug below and see how easy it is to get a great new look for a rug that has seen better days.
Tools and Materials
- Rit dye
- Water
- Plastic funnel
- Bottle with spray attachment
- Hose
- Washing machine
- Scotchgard spray
1. Gather Your Materials
The only items I had to buy for this DIY project were the Rit dye and the Scotchgard. These products are easy enough to get hold of in stores.
Everything else I already had at home, and I would imagine that most other people do too.
Also, ensure you have a funnel and a bottle with a spray attachment ready to complete the project from start to finish.
2. Prep the Dye
I boiled some water and poured it into the bottle I planned to spray the dye, using a funnel to avoid any spillage.
After that, I poured the dye into the same bottle in the same way. I put on the spray attachment and then gave the bottle a good shake to mix the liquid thoroughly before use.
Then I was ready to dye my rug!
3. Spray the Rug
With the liquid ready, I sprayed it carefully onto the rug.
It is important to cover the whole surface evenly. I find it easier to start in one corner and slowly work my way in towards the center.
Then I move on to the next corner and so on, until only a small space in the middle remains for me to spray at the end.
4. Rinse and Let Dry
My next move was to rinse off the rug thoroughly using a hose. I used plenty of cool water to do this.
I kept rinsing the rug over and over again until the excess water runs clear from it.
Then I put it aside to let it dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step in the process.
5. Wash the Rug
The next step is to wash the rug. I put mine in on a medium setting with the water temperature set to “cool lights.”
I set the mode to casual and put the washing machine into motion.
You will see that the dye is fixed into place and doesn’t come off once you have let it dry.
Ready for more DIY rug inspiration?
6. Spray with Scotchgard
The final step in this tutorial on how to dye a rug is to spray on a coating of Scotchgard. This protects the rug against spills and stains that could damage it in the future.
Again, I very carefully went over the entire surface to make sure that the whole thing was as well protected as possible.
You will want to do this in one sitting, to avoid losing track of which parts you have and haven’t done so far.
How to Dye a Rug: Step-by-Step Tutorial
This is a fantastic way of turning a tired old rug into something fresher and far more exciting.
If you have a rug that is in need of a facelift, dyeing it will give you a great new look without having to spend too much time or money.
I tried out my new rug in a few different rooms once I was finished, and I would recommend that you do the same. You are sure to find a perfect spot for it somewhere in your home.
If you like this project, share it with friends so they can easily update their rugs too!
Comments
Join the conversation
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Great idea!
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I like the color! Thanks for sharing! I also have an old rug that I don't know what to do with. I've already looked through the RugsUSA reviews in the hope of finding the solution. But I've never thought about dying it. Great idea!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
I want to dye my whole carpet in the hallway and family room what's my best options
Can I spot dye a printed area rug?
I am looking for ideas to dye my daughter and my son whole bedroom rugs from wall to wall 12x12 ft