Experience with dye?

Factual Questions
1

While rumaging through our big box o’rags this morning, I found a bathmat that was in perfect condition, except for some splotches on it, as if it had come in contact with bleach or something. Since I had nothing better to do this morning, I bought a packet of dye (dark green) and followed the directions as best I could…except I didn’t have as much salt as was called for. I swished the bathmat around for a good 45 minutes, rinsed it a few times, threw it in the washer and rinsed it a few more.

The final instructions was to wash it in detergent. To play it safe, I threw a couple of white rags in with it. Sure enough, the white rags came out the prettiest shade of lime green you’ve ever seen. I ran the bathmat through the rinse cycle a couple more times and finally threw it in the dryer.

Now the bathmat is a deep, evenly shaded emerald green. But what are the chances that when I use it as a bathmat I’m going to end up with deep, evenly shaded emerald green feet? And is there anything else I can do to fix the dye from bleeding at this point?

2

The two times I’ve tried to dye something it failed. And my bathtub stayed dyed for months. And yes, the dye continues to run for several washings, perhaps forever. I tossed the stuff before the third wash.

3

I tie-dyed cotton underwear a long time ago and they didn’t bleed after the initial washing. Aren’t you supposed to soak it in vinegar and salt or something? Sorry, I don’t remember the details anymore.

4

I think it depends on what the dye is, and how it is fixed. I have dyed lots of things without a problem. Cheap dye that you buy in a grocery store might not be as good, but I’d be suprised if the tech hadn’t improved since I was an undergrad. It really depends on what the dye is.

5

I’d be more concerned with unfixed dye transfering from a wet bathmat to the bathroom floor. That could be a serious pain to clean up.

Wash the thing with detergent one more time and see how your sacrificial rags come out.
If they come out clean the mat’s probably OK to use.