Owning a carpet calls for so many challenges; stains and fading away of carpet are common.
Homeowners often leave their dull carpets as it is for fear of cashing out on new ones. But is there a cost-effective way to restore the lost color and glory of your sad carpets?
If you have that question in your head- How much does it cost to Dye Carpets? Then stick till the end of this article.
Can You Dye Carpets?
Yes, you can dye carpets to restore their color and original beauty. Carpets can experience wear and tear over time, leading to fading and stains.
Carpet dyes offer a cost-effective solution to refresh your carpets without the need for frequent replacements. If you own carpets made of nylon, wool, or silk, you are in luck, as these types of carpets can be dyed. With a plethora of color options available in the market, you can choose the best color to breathe new life into your sad-looking carpets.
To know how much a carpet costs and whether it will be expensive, you can always use this calculator.
Step-By-Step Guide On How To Dye Carpets?
Let us have a thorough look at how to dye a carpet yourself:
Things you’ll need
- Carpet steam cleaner
- Carpet dye kit
- Painter’s tape
- Scrub brush or toothbrush
- 1-gallon bucket
- Gloves
- Lighter
- Cardboard, newspaper, or drop cloth
- Plastic or masking paper
- Spray bottle
Total required time
72 hours (includes drying time)
Cost
$50-$100
Step On How To Dye Carpets
1. Determine what type of carpet you have
Before you begin dyeing your carpet, you must first check what fabric it is made of. This is because dye works properly only on wool, silk, and nylon carpets.
If you have forgotten or are unsure what your carpet’s fabric is, then cut a small piece of your carpet and light it on a ceramic plate.
- Nylon melts under fire and curls up and create a plastic-bead-like shape.
- Wool will burn very slowly, have a burning hair-like smell, and will leave ashes.
- Go to a carpet expert and get the material checked.
2. Pick the right color
Although there are a lot of colors to choose from, the one that you can pick is limited to your carpet’s color. You can dye a carpet with a darker shade but cannot do the opposite.
Also, if you are trying to cover a certain stain, then make sure the dye is dark enough to cover it and give the carpet an even look.
3. Patch Test
After you have chosen your preferred color or at least narrowed it down to a few, the next thing is to do a patch test. Apply the dye in a small area to see if you like the color before you go all in.
4. Prepping
After you are done testing the fabric, the next thing that you need to do in order to achieve professional results is to prep your place.
Remove all the furniture from the room, and use painter’s tape to mask walls, baseboards, or any other thing that you do not want to stain.
5. Vacuum your carpet
Before applying the dye, it is important to clean your carpet properly once. So use a vacuum cleaner and clean your carpet thoroughly; this will help in getting rid of any unwanted things.
6. Mix the dye
Now read the instruction manual of your DIY kit to prepare the color for application. Wear gloves to protect yourself from staining.
On the instruction, you will most likely be required to mix the dye in hot water along with the pH Stabilizer.
Start applying the dye immediately, as you are required to keep the dye’s temperature between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Application
First, spray your carpet evenly with water. This will help in even absorption of the dye. Now start spraying the dye onto the carpet evenly. Read the instructions on the bottle or manual for better results.
8. Steam the carpet
You will have to rake the dye into the carpet. For this, you will need a carpet steamer. If you do not own a carpet steamer, then rent out one, as this step is essential.
So once you coat the dye on the carpet, run the steam machine on each section to infuse the color within. Repeat the process of applying dye and steaming two more times.
9. Let it dry
The last step now is to let the carpet dry. It might take 2-3 days for the carpet to dry completely, depending on the humidity, ventilation, etc., you provide.
Just make sure the carpet is not damp and has dried out completely before you start walking on it.
How Much Does It Cost To Dye Carpets?
The cost of carpet dyeing typically ranges from $1.50 to $2.50 per square yard. For a high-quality job with padding and extras, it can go up to $7 per square yard. On average, you can expect to spend $50-$100 to dye your carpet.
Remember, the final cost depends on factors like the carpet’s size, type, and specific services you need. It’s crucial to find a reputable company offering carpet dyeing services within your budget.
While some companies may charge more than $5 per square yard, you should be able to find reliable options from just over $5 per square yard. Always read reviews and ask for references before making your choice.
Here’s a table summarizing the cost of carpet dyeing:
| Type of Job | Cost per Square Yard | Estimated Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Job | $1.50 – $2.50 | $50 – $100 |
| High-Quality Job (with extras) | Up to $7 | Varies |
Pros and Cons of Carpet Dyeing
Pros
- Restoring Beauty: With day-to-day use, carpets get dull, lose their shine, get stained, get faded, and whatnot. Dyeing a carpet helps in restoring its lost shine and makes it look brand new.
- Cost Effective: Buying a carpet could mean cashing out a lot of money. But if you choose to dye it instead, then you can save a lot of money. Dyeing carpet costs 20-60% less than buying one. And if you choose to dye the carpet yourself, then you can even save labor costs.
- Less Odor: New carpets has a very distinct smell caused due to compound 4-phenylcyclohexene. This not only smells bad but can also cause skin irritation. Carpet dye products have less odor, so using it instead of buying a new one can be a good choice.
- New Look: If you are simply bored with your carpet’s color, or if it does not match your room’s new interior, etc., then you can dye your carpet and give your room a new look.
Cons
- Limited Choice of Color: A carpet can be dyed only darker than its existing color and not lighter. The darker the area or stain you want to hide, the darker the shade of dye you will need. So there is not a lot of flexibility in terms of color shade.
- Works on Limited Types of Carpets: You cannot dye any type of carpet. Carpet dye works best only on wool, silk, and nylon carpets. Modern carpet fabrics, such as polypropylene, acrylic, polyester, etc., do not absorb the dye properly and do not work on them.
- Dyeing Takes Effort: Although many dye color dries within a few hour, the initial dyeing process takes effort. First, you need to find the right color to hide the stain on your carpets; you need to do a patch test, then comes the somewhat tedious dyeing process. So yeah, dyeing carpet is cheap, but it takes effort.
- Risk of Staining: Some dyes may stain your feet during the first week after dyeing. This means the dye can also transfer to your pet’s paws or to your kid. Although not all dyes are like that, the very idea of staining can be a bit unsettling.
- Longevity Can’t be Predicted: How long a dye will last depends on the quality of your carpet, its application, and the dye you are using. Applying the dye improperly can result in fading. Professionally dyed carpet can last for at least ten years but.
DIY Painted Rugs
Wrapping Up
There are not one but so many benefits of dyeing carpets. Be it saving money, restoring shine, renewing color, and whatnot.
Although dyeing carpets are limited to certain fabrics and color shades, it is perfect for those who want to achieve a darker shade and have wool, silk, or nylon carpets. And if you end up spilling some dye on the wrong area on the carpet then you must get the dye out of the carpet immediately.
We hope this article on Can you dye carpets was useful to you.
FAQ’s
When should I buy a carpet instead?
If your carpet is dark and you want to achieve a lighter shade, then you should buy a carpet instead. This is because you can only dye your carpet darker and not the other way around.
How long does carpet dye last for?
A good quality dye can last for as long as your carpet does. Only poor-quality dyes may start staining.
Make sure you buy a good quality stain after reading customer reviews to see the best results.
Is dyeing carpet a good idea?
Yes, carpet dyeing is a great idea, especially for homeowners who do not want to spend on buying new expensive carpets.
Dyeing carpets cost only one-third of buying one, so yes, it is a good choice.
Daleyza knows a lot about carpets! She has worked with carpets for over 7 years and can help with things like putting them in, keeping them clean, and replacing them. She really likes carpets and spends most of her time learning about new ways to work with them. When she’s not learning about carpets, she enjoys reading books. She’s really good at helping people choose the right carpet for their homes and making sure they’re happy with it. If you want to know more about carpets, Daleyza is the person to talk to!