Can You Dye a Comforter?

Material

• Your ability to dye your comforter at home depends largely on the fabric on the outside of the comforter. Natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, accept color from reactive dyes but synthetics require dangerous chemicals in order to accept dye. If you can find these reactive dyes, you may be able to dye your own cotton comforter because these dyes react to additives like sodium carbonate and don't require heat. Acid dyes are more widely available but require hours of simmering in nearly boiling water, says the Dyer's List at Eastern Michigan University. This is difficult to achieve while dyeing a comforter due to the large size.

Color

• If your bed comforter is currently black and you would like a white or brightly colored comforter instead, you will need to purchase one instead of attempting to dye it. Once a fabric has been dyed a dark color or black, it can't be lightened without bleach. Heavy application of bleach damages fabrics according to the New Mexico State University Extension, and removing colors purposefully requires a lot of bleach. Attempting to bleach your dark comforter to lighten it enough to dye will leave you with a splotchy, discolored bed covering that will be more likely to rip during regular use. Start with a white or light colored comforter for success during dyeing.

Down

• Down comforters present the most challenge when dyeing if you don't want to damage the comforter filling. Cotton comforters are often dyed in the washing machine to help the dye enter the fabric from the agitation of the washer. However, down clumps and sticks together when washed in a washing machine, according to Overstock.com. Soaking a down comforter in hot dye water also affects the natural feathers' oils, which keep the feathers separated.

Alternatives

• If buying hazardous reactive dyes and staining your bathtub or washing machine isn't appealing, there's an easier way to change the color of your comforter. Sewing a simple duvet cover allows you to use any fabric you choose, including patterned or luxurious materials. The duvet cover resembles a large pillow case that buttons or zips shut over one edge of the comforter according to Plumeria Bay. Getting a custom duvet cover sewn also costs less than professional dyeing services.