If you’re looking to spruce up your room but don’t feel like your carpets are worn enough to justify being replaced – you’re in luck! Carpet dyeing is rising in popularity as it offers a quick and affordable way to renew your carpets, but how much does it cost to dye a carpet?
In our article, we outline the costs of carpet dyeing as well as reasons why you should and shouldn’t dye your carpet.
How much does it cost to dye a carpet?
Let’s get straight into it and see how much it costs to dye a carpet.
The cost of carpet dyeing can be broken down into three components: the materials, the tools, and the labour.
- Materials – The materials are essentially just the carpet dye itself. You may also need protective sheets to cover furniture or to prevent the dye from being carried into other rooms on your feet.
- Tools – A high-pressure sprayer to put the dye into the carpet, a brush to scrub it into the fibres, and protective gear such as safety goggles and a breathing mask.
- Labour – For projects that make a big impact on the appearance of a room, we recommend hiring a professional. Carpet dyeing is usually a one-day job.
We personally do not recommend dyeing a carpet as a D.I.Y project. For one, it is quite difficult to get a hold of good quality carpet dyes in the UK unless you can get them straight from the manufacturer. Secondly, carpet dyeing can quickly go wrong and leave you with a splotchy outcome if you don’t have the right tools to do the job.
Going the D.I.Y route can save you money on labour costs, but the extra money spent will be worth it to have a long-lasting, great-looking carpet for years to come.
So how much does it cost altogether? Depending on its size, dyeing a carpet will cost anywhere from £80 to £300 although some companies may charge more for extra services. This is significantly cheaper than replacing a carpet which can cost upwards of £600 for an average living room.
We recommend talking to few different dye-specialist companies near you to get the best quote for your budget.
Reasons why you should dye your carpet
You’re probably wondering now whether carpet dyeing is a good idea. We’ve listed some of the most popular reasons why people choose to dye their carpets below.
Can make your carpet look like new again
Over the years, it’s normal for your carpet to get a few stains or marks, especially if you live with children and animals! Carpets that are exposed to sunlight can also fade relatively quickly, leaving them looking a little drab.
Although the colour of the carpet has been affected, the pile of the carpet might be fine meaning that replacing it could be a waste of money. That’s where carpet dyeing comes in – dyes can restore colour into your carpets and cover stains and marks that are too stubborn to be removed. You’ll be left with carpets that look as good as new!
Check out our article on carpet cleaning costs by clicking here!
Dyeing your carpet does not stink out the room
This is a definite advantage that a lot of people don’t consider. Brand new carpets have a distinct odour that can irritate your eyes and nose for up to a week after installation. This leads to many people avoiding their new carpets for a few days and not being able to enjoy them as soon as they are fitted.
Dyeing your carpet does not come with this issue. Dyes produce next-to-no odour (many manufacturers even claim their dyes are completely odour free) and you can usually use your room the same day as the dye has gone on. If you’re in a hurry to get through a renovation, dyeing your carpets will allow you to use your room much quicker.
Cheaper than replacing it
This should be a given, but dyeing your carpets is much cheaper than replacing them. Not only that, but carpet dyeing is a much easier D.I.Y project than laying a new carpet, meaning you could save even more on labour costs.
Those of you looking to sell your house or rent it out to new tenants should seriously consider if dyeing your carpets is possible. Carpet dyes provide an affordable way to spruce up a home which could lead to you finding a buyer or renter much quicker.
Change up your style
Sometimes, we want to change the feel of a room even if there’s nothing technically wrong with it. Changing the colour of a carpet is a great way to make a room feel brand-new as it is one of the largest and most noticeable features.
Carpet dyes are a great way to quickly and affordably change the style of a room. There are several colour choices on the market so you should be able to find the right one to suit your aesthetic.
Times when dyeing a carpet could be a bad idea
Unfortunately, there are a few reasons why dyeing your carpet isn’t a great idea after all and could actually ruin its appearance. Read them below to be sure you aren’t making a mistake!
You can only dye your carpets darker
A carpet can only be dyed darker and not lighter. This is because the dye needs to be dark enough to cover the pigment that is already on the carpet.
This is especially true for those of you who want to dye your carpets to cover stains and marks. The colour of the dye needs to be darker than the stains you are covering, or else they will still show through (although potentially not as clearly). If you want lighter carpets, you will need to replace them.
Carpet dyeing is not an easy job
Carpet dyeing is certainly an easier process than replacing a carpet completely, but it still has its difficulties. Choosing a dye that works on your carpet can be time-consuming alone and a bit of a trial and error process. Then you have the physical effort of scrubbing it into the carpet fibres by hand to ensure it is completely covered.
We recommend hiring a professional to dye your carpets to avoid the stress and make sure it’s done right. Those of you taking it on as a D.I.Y project need to be aware that it is a physical job, but the process can usually be done in a day.
Carpet dyes don’t work on all carpets
How well a carpet dye will work depends on the material of the carpet fibres. Some materials don’t absorb dyes very well which could lead to a splotchy appearance, and some carpets are simply too worn for the dye to work properly.
The best materials for carpet dyes are nylon and wool which, fortunately, most modern carpets are made from. Materials such as polyester, acrylic, and polypropylene are not good for dyeing and can lead to an uneven appearance. We recommend having a carpet specialist take a look at your carpets to determine whether they are the right material and condition to be dyed.
Can leave stains on your clothes
This doesn’t happen with all carpet dyes but we think it’s worth mentioning. You might find that the carpet dye transfers onto some materials for a few weeks after the dyeing process. This means you could end up with clothing that is in contact with the carpet, particularly your socks, getting stained with dye.
If you have pets in the home or children who crawl about, it’s going to be the most noticeable on them. Most carpet dyes are non-toxic but the stains can be quite hard to remove! We recommend wearing slippers for a couple of weeks whilst the dye settles, and making sure your guests are aware.
In summary
So, carpet dyeing is significantly cheaper than replacing a carpet entirely but you need to be sure that it is suitable for your carpet. We recommend talking to professionals who will give you advice specific to your carpet and will ensure the end result leaves you satisfied.