1.Question - Can you dye striped or multi-coloured patterned fabrics?
2.Question - I am not certain of the fibre content of my fabric, can you test it?
3.Question - Will my covers be colourfast after dyeing?
4.Question - Will my covers shrink in the process?
5.Question - My covers have a "dry clean only label" Can they be dyed?
6.Question - Do I need to clean my covers before sending them to you?
7.Question - Do you have a colour card to choose from?
8.Question - Is there a charge for formulating a colour we choose?
9.Question - Can you strip the existing shade from covers so I can use them in a natural state.
10.Question - How long does the process take?
11Question - We cannot remove our covers can you still dye them?
12.Question - How do I send my covers to you?
13.Question- May I bring the covers to you myself?
14.Question - Where is the work done?
15.Question - When do I need to pay?
16.Question - Are there any hidden charges I may have to pay?
17.Question - I am now ready to send my covers for dyeing do I need to read anything else?
Question - Can you dye striped or multi-coloured patterned fabrics?
Answer- If the covers are 100% cotton we can sometimes remove most of the original colour but even then a "ghost" of the original stripe or pattern can often be seen as the threads can take the new colour just slightly differently. Sometimes some of the colours are not 100% cotton and the original colour may not strip at all. A lab test will give a good indication but cannot exactly predict the final result. Dark colours provide the best chance of covering the original patterns.
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Question - I am not certain of the fibre content of my fabric, can you test it?
Answer - Yes we can do a lab test to check the content and to see if it will strip and accept new dye. Please see our Guidance Notes for more details.
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Question - Will my covers be colourfast after dyeing?
Answer - We use top quality reactive dyes to achieve the best colourfastness standards possible. You should have no particular fastness issues afterwards and the covers will be washable.
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Question - Will my covers shrink in the process?
Answer - There is always a possibility of some shrinkage and we cannot guarantee your covers will not shrink nor can we quantify how much they may shrink. However our systems have been carefully developed over years of experience to minimise the risk. It is extremely rare that any cover will shrink too much to be happily used. Covers that have been washed are generally less likely to shrink than unwashed covers. Even so we stress it is extremely rare that covers we accept to dye shrink so much as to be unusable. Whats more we offer a money back guarantee.
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Question - My covers have a "dry clean only label" Can they be dyed?
Answer - We have successfully dyed many such covers. Sometimes the manufacturer is just playing safe when the fabric and the construction are quite acceptable for washing or dyeing. We will carefully consider each one.
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Question - Do I need to clean my covers before sending them to you?
Answer - No, you do not need to clean them first. We clean your covers before we dye them. This is essential, in our opinion, to achieve the best results and we make no extra charge for this.
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Question - Do you have a colour card to choose from?
Answer - We invite you to provide a colour sample from any source of your choosing rather than limiting you to a set of colours on a card. We mix a dye recipe just for your shade. Many customers simply use a paint chart as a sample. We cannot match to fabrics that change colour when viewed from different angles such as velvet. Also we do ask for a solid colour shade rather than a tweed or other mixed shade fabric.
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Question - Is there a charge for formulating a colour we choose?
Answer - No. We dye all orders individually and our dyer creates the dye recipe to achieve your shade as closely as possible. There is no extra charge for this service.
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Question - Can you strip the existing shade from covers so I can use them in a natural state.
Answer - Yes we can and often do. Sometimes existing stains and marks not visible in the original shade cannot be removed and can spoil the appearance of the natural state. In these cases they can still be overdyed to a new shade. The strip only charge is around 75% of the dyeing charge.
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Question - How long does the process take?
Answer - Usually around 2 weeks (see our "How Long" page). We can often help out in urgent cases please ask.
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Question - We cannot remove our covers can you still dye them?
Answer - Afraid not, fixed upholstery cannot be redyed. The covers are dyed in a machine much like a huge washing machine that turns very slowly to steep the covers in dyestuff for as long as it takes to achieve the depth of colour required.
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Question - How do I send my covers to you?
Answer- See our "How to send" page. Our courier can collect from you (you can simply arrange this online) or you can use another carrier such as Parcel Force. Or just call us and we can arrange it for you.
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Question- May I bring the covers to you myself?
Answer - Certainly, please just call us in advance so we can expect you
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Question - Where is the work done?
Answer - All the work is done by our staff at our own premises in Leicester.
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Question - When do I need to pay?
Answer - Payment is only required when your work has been completed and is ready for despatch back to you. Then we can accept payment by most major cards over the telephone.
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Question - Are there any hidden charges I may have to pay?
Answer - No. Our published price for dyeing a sofa cover plus the carriage plus VAT is all you pay. Our price includes pre-washing in all cases, an essential process in our view as preparation to achieve the best possible result. It also includes a standard strip process to remove as much of the old dye as possible to give a good base to accept new dye. In a small number of cases a standard strip process cannot remove the old dye and we can then consider an additional special strip process which we would consult you about beforehand. It does have an additional modest cost but it is optional but may help achieve the colour of your choice. We also offer stain resist treatments with the prices published on the prices page. These too are optional extras.
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Question - I am now ready to send my covers for dyeing do I need to read anything else?
Answer - If you have read our Guidance Notes and the Know Your Fabrics page and you believe your covers are suitable (this usually means made of 100% cotton or linen) then please send them to us with the order form which you can download on the Order Form page. We look forward to receiving your order.