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elle Dec 2, 2008

I dyed some mohair pieces with Kool-Aid and got some lovely colors.  I did rinse the pieces afterward with mild soap solution.  They are in plastic baggies waiting to be sewn and when I open the bags, the Kool-Aid smell is pretty strong.  I actually like the smell, but other may not.  Do people wash their Kool-Aid dyed mohair with something special to get the odor out, or does it tend to go away as it is out in the air?

Thanks! 

Hugs,

Ellen

eteddys Dec 2, 2008

I did a series of kool-aid bears years ago.  You do get some really lovely colors.  I never washed my mohair afterwards.  The smell does fade with time.  It's probably just concentrated because it was in a plastic bag. 

Hugs,
Alison

ivuska.h Dec 2, 2008

I would try line drying (in this case drying not the main goal ) the mohair... I'm working with a piece of mohair that smells like some perfume and it's quite irritating because it's quite strong... I've already bought it with the smell...

White Forest Dec 2, 2008

I tried Kool Aid dying before, and I didn't like the results very much.  Maybe I just wasn't doing it right.

Nancy D Dec 2, 2008

I have used kool aid a number of times. I still have a dog I did in lime green(Frankenwiener) and there is no odor now. It definately fades with time.

Sapphire-Light Dec 3, 2008

I know it dosen't have to do with teddies, but when I dye the hair of my ponies (syntetic  hair or wool) I use shampoo to wash it and most of the smell goes away.

Little Bear Guy Dec 3, 2008

We have done a number of teddy bears out of Kool Aid , we had fantastic results with it and it was so much fun. We do rinse them a little bit after the dying process but not a lot.  We were left with a mild scent but nothing terrible.  I actually liked the fruity smell , but yes it does go away in time.  I also think because it was in a sealed plastic bag that the odour is concentrated.

big hugs

Shane

P.S  Allison I remember your fantastic Kool Aid coloured bears, they were superb and so cute.

elle Dec 3, 2008

Thanks everyone, for all your help!     Yes, I think I will wash them again and then let them out into the air.  I actually love the fruity smell too, Shane. 

Hugs,

Ellen

eatcakevintage Dec 3, 2008

Yep, as everyone has already said the smell will dissipate. You need to just let the pieces air out. I use vinegar with my koolaid and that smell is a strange one but it does go away after rinsing and air drying. I do at times throw the pieces in the dryer with a dryer sheet.

I also recently discovered that you can get a very nice muted color by either sewing the piece and don't turn it and then dye it in the koolaid. Or you can stitch the piece the size you need together and dye it that way. I just did this on the little pink bear I just completed.