Can you use multiple colors of rit dye to dye a carpet before it is installed? It will be done outside.?

Question

We bought a large section of carpet super cheap and in really good shape, the only problem is that there is some yellow staining on the mostly tan carpet. I would like to do something really different with it because it will go in my kids bedroom. I'm thinking of dyeing it black with streaks of other brighter colors, but I'm not sure if it would be colorfast. Since I can do it before installing I will be able to rinse it well and allow it to thoroughly sun dry. Has anyone tried anything like this? Any tips, pointers, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, now that we are in the age of stain resistance, it is often difficult, if not impossible to dye carpet any more.  If there are just a few areas that are stained, try coloring it with a permanent marker (such as you can buy in a college art supply store.)  Yellow spots are most likely not stains, but discolorations cause by a caustic cleaning agent (like bleach, or formula 401).  You best solution would be to try to use the good parts of the carpet, and use the discolored part for closets, or areas (such as under a bed) that will not show.

Answer 2

Depends on the carpet.  I would NOT use RIT, but instead choose a dye suitable for the fiber of the carpet.  The backing may disintegrate, and the color may crock (dry deposition).

Frankly, this is not a good DIY project unless you're willing to consign the whole thing to a dump if it goes sour.