simplicolIntense Textile Dye Forest Green 1812 1 Pack

I needed to dye a white long but very light and fine lawn cotton shirt and chose this brand because the colour - Caribbean turquoise - was the closest to what I wanted so I decided to risk it despite the negative reviews.Although the packet seemed to be only in German I discovered after I'd used the dye that there was a small leaflet of instructions in English right in the bottom of the box which would have meant less internet searching if I'd found it before.I have a fairly new washing machine so I was a little concerned about whether there'd be enough water to stop the blotching so many people had mentioned. I was also concerned with the tiny hole that the dye was to come out of but decided to risk it. I did cut the salt bag much lower than the line stated though, just above the salt, making it more like a cup. The dress had already been washed clean without conditioner so I put it in dry and put the dye bottle and fixative carefully on top, set the machine to 40 easy care which is what they state it needs and switched it on. The dye came out of the tiny hole immediately, in fact I was shocked at how fast the water turned Caribbean turquoise, so I left the machine to it and hoped.I gave it a second wash with detergent when the cycle had finished and it came out perfectly. The dye was completely even and the colour was only very slightly paler than the packet. But it was only one very light long shirt and nothing else. I imagine to get deeper colour or if you're dying anything heavier you'll need multiple packets. I could have used two as it came as a twin pack, but I figured the material was so light I wouldn't need to and I didn't.Given how much more ecological and non toxic it is than the main competitor I was very impressed all round even if you can dye far less at once with one pack. If I was, say, dyeing jeans, I'd use at least two packets for a single pair. I can't see it easily covering a throw to the right colour without multiple packets and of course it won't dye synthetic materials as it clearly says. But for cotton or linen this brand will definitely be my go to in future. I love the colour.I did have to wipe the door rim down but that's the same with any dye.

I am sick of dodgy reviews that people have been paid forI have not been paid for this review so it honest and truthfulI am a bloke I don’t read instructions but they weren’t in English and so small I would need a magnifying glass to read them.I bought a gillet on a auction site which was quite washed out of colour ( it didn’t really matter only used for dog walking)As it was very light I knew it would get dirty quickly.I had used dye before but never this brand.I thought I would give it a go nothing to loose.After reading the reviews I picked up a couple of pointers.1.The salt bag you need to cut lower so it well open up.Other brands you just add salt in the drum.2. The hole in the little bottle of dye does not let the dye out quick enough, so it causes uneven colour.I pierced several holes into the lid to allow the dye to mix quickerAfter a hour on the wash I took out the gillet and checked it over.The colour was even all over no patches.I did notice the stitching was slightly lighter ( which I expected) as the thread would of been a cotton mix, but it really doesn’t look bad at all.I did take a picture but I don’t think you can tell too much from it.To sum up cut well below the line they tell you to cutMake a few more hole in the lid of the dye.Don’t overload the washing machine.A little common sense is required

Shade as expected

I have used simplicol machine dyes 4 times (different colours) in the last year. As long as care is taken to follow the instructions e.g items cotton or of other natural origin, weighed (dried weight), washed and spun first no conditioner etc etc I have found them v easy to use. Yes, the washing machine rubber ring gets stained (wipe it down before you dye and again as soon as you can after the process). No I wouldn't do a white wash as my next proper wash 'just in case'. Yes, their colour guidance is pretty spot-on (check dylon 'mango orange' photos if you want an example of two very different colour oranges - from the same pack it would seem! Of no use to the dyer at all..) I am now in the marketplace again for dye. I shall stick with simplicol... P.S one problem that applies to ANY dye. If the stitching on your garment is a polycotton blend (often) that will not dye to the depth of colour that the rest of your garment does. It's v annoying but there's little you can do about it. Should it be 100% polyester stitching (common again) then it won't dye at all and you'll have original colour stitching (white?) with, say, a dark blue material.. Frustrating.

I didn’t love or hate this product to be totally honest. I have used fabric dyes loads of times but I have always stuck to the more commonly known UK brand.By comparison I thought the instructions were not particularly clear, it was only when it was already mid wash that I saw in other reviews that people have recommended to puncture the capsule to allow a more even colour outcome so that was irritating.Colour wise it was a decent result albeit more of a blue / grey than I expected but it was a relatively even final colour.On the whole I would probably stick with my usual brand in future but not a bad purchase.

Unfortunately Simplicol have chosen to copy *ahem* another brand by supplying a plastic container to put in the washing machine alongside the clothes to be dyed. The dye is excellent, the colours vivid and long-lasting, but the single use plastic bottle is an unforgiveable retrograde step. Not only the environmental concerns but one must listen to it clang and bang around in the washing machine drum for two hours while the programme completes. Who thought this was a good idea? Well it isn't. I'm very disappointed, even though the product itself is excellent, the lack of eco-friendliness is such a let down.