Dyeing rope?

[LaurieC]

I would like to dye some white cotton rope to use for bird toys and perches. What type of dye would be appropraite for this?

 

[bug_n_flock]

What I did when I had an orange-obsessed Amazon was to wait until after Easter time and buy up all the egg coloring kits when they went on clearance. I'm sure there is a better way, but that is what I did.

 

[Aquila]

Food dye works really well, though just be careful because it can still stain other things!

 

[LaurieC]

You have used food coloring successfully for dyeing cotton rope? Multiple dyeing guides stated that food coloring could not be used on cotton fibers.

 

[Squeekmouse]

I'd guess it's tricky to dye cotton rope, but you might not want to use it anyway. I've read too many posts of people whose birds died from eating the cotton fibers which don't get digested and don't get passed through the digestion, eventually (and slowly) killing the bird. Even store-bought toys made with cotton ropes have a warning on them saying not to leave it with the bird unattended, because birds often like to eat the fraying threads.

Sisal rope is safer, from what I have read, but it's not terribly pretty.

Food coloring plus boiling water plus 30 minutes to 24 hours of soaking is generally a good way of coloring wood and stuff for bird toys. Just be warned that the coloring may stain stuff it the toy gets wet, and may also stain the birds poop.

 

[Terry57]

I use food colour on cotton rope, and while it turns out pastel, it is the colors I was wanting.I don't soak it...I use isopropol alcohol (70%) and food coloring and just dip it in. I use 1 part dye to 10 parts alcohol. The alcohol evaporates and makes whatever you are dying dry faster which cuts down on the chance of mold growing while it is drying. You can also use a foam brush and paint the color on as well.
The thin sisal rope actually dyes beautifully, I tried it and was thrilled with how bright it was. Only thing for that is you need to make the strands longer than you need and put scotch tape on the ends or it will separate when you dye it. You can then cut the tape off the ends after using it to make your toys.

 

[Flboy]

I use food colour on cotton rope, and while it turns out pastel, it is the colors I was wanting.I don't soak it...I use isopropol alcohol (70%) and food coloring and just dip it in. I use 1 part dye to 10 parts alcohol. The alcohol evaporates and makes whatever you are dying dry faster which cuts down on the chance of mold growing while it is drying. You can also use a foam brush and paint the color on as well.
The thin sisal rope actually dyes beautifully, I tried it and was thrilled with how bright it was. Only thing for that is you need to make the strands longer than you need and put scotch tape on the ends or it will separate when you dye it. You can then cut the tape off the ends after using it to make your toys.

And rubber gloves!

 

[Terry57]

And rubber gloves!

Haha, so true! I can't work in gloves so my hands look like I have some strange disease most of the time.