Community Dye Bath™
A SUAY REUSE SERVICE
CURRENT COLOR COLLECTION
THE EX-FACTOR
LEFT ON RED
BLOCKED
GREENER PASTURES
IT’S COMPLICATED
DON’T SEND THE PARAGRAPH BLUE
ARE YOU DROPPING OFF IN PERSON OR MAILING IN?
If you are local and want to drop off in store, please come see us at 3124 Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles when we reopen on July 10, from 5-8pm. Starting July 11th, come see us during our normal hours Monday 12-6, Tuesday closed, Wednesday – Friday 12-6, Saturday -Sunday 10-6. Do you need a mailer kit to send your items in? Start your order here below!
Reuse meets makeover with the SUAY Community Dye Bath™. Through a monthly rotation of new color palettes, you can send in your faded and stained textiles, as well as those that just need a new look, to have overdyed in our communal dye baths. This program is offered 365 days a year with new colors introduced every single month. Love the colors you see above? Jump on them before the month ends!
The SUAY Community Dye Bath™ is the largest reuse program of its kind. Since its inception in 2020, this program has given a new life to more than 2 million pounds of textiles and is powered by a women-led, skilled team of garment workers and reuse experts.
HOW IT WORKS
1. SELECT YOUR ITEMS AND COLORS
SUAY offers 3-4 new dyes each month in a variety of colors that work on both natural and synthetic fibers, always including a tie-dye option. Lighter garments take on a close match to the color swatch, while colored, darker garments can take on a whole new tint/hue that plays off the base color.*For more insights on color selection, items that work best (and don’t), and more, see our Terms and Conditions.
2. DROP OFF OR MAIL-IN
Want to stop by and drop off your items? Just come in anytime during normal business hours. Need the convenience of mailing in (no matter where you are)? Just click the button below to tell us about your items and add to cart. Once you check out, we will send you a pre-paid mailer to put your items in and send back to us for their dye bath dip.
3. DIP, DYE, DRY
We sort the thousands of items received from the community each month, individually identifying them with a custom tag that follows them through the dye bath. Each color is dyed in a large 100 lb. bath. Once they are dyed, we clean and sort them amongst the other colors and quality check each item, then reunite all of your different dye bath items to return to you.
4. TEXTILE TRANSFORMATION
Your items are ready for their new life! You will get an email alert that everything is ready for pickup, or on the way back to you in the mail. The processing time for each Community Dye Bath™ takes about 6 weeks from the end of the month you participate in (this can shorten or lengthen, depending on volume. Mail-in orders have an added 1-2 weeks to account for varying transit times). We are working diligently on methods to shorten this process, but, in the meantime, while your order is with us we will keep you updated on its status until it is complete and ready for return!
Dye Bath Pricing
| Product | Solid | Synthetic | Tie-Dye |
| Tops | |||
| Tank top / bodysuit | 10 | 16 | 22 |
| Short-sleeve top | 12 | 18 | 22 |
| Long-sleeve top | 14 | 18 | 24 |
| Button down – short and long sleeve | 15 | 20 | 24 |
| Flannel / heavier button down | 20 | 26 | 28 |
| Sweater / sweatshirt | 22 | 26 | 28 |
| Hoodie | 22 | 28 | 30 |
| Blazer / vest | 18 | 28 | 30 |
| Outerwear – fleece / shirt jacket | 26 | 44 | 46 |
| Outerwear – denim / workwear coat | 40 | 52 | 54 |
| Bottoms | |||
| Jeans | 20 | 24 | 30 |
| Cargo pant / trouser / canvas | 22 | 28 | 30 |
| Overalls | 35 | 45 | 50 |
| Sweatpants | 24 | 36 | 38 |
| Skirt | 14 | 18 | 24 |
| Shorts | 14 | 18 | 24 |
| Dress – short | 18 | 25 | 28 |
| Dress – midi / maxi length | 26 | 32 | 34 |
| Jumpsuit | 30 | 42 | 50 |
| Kid + Baby | |||
| Onesie | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Shirt | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| Pants / shorts | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| Dress | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| Sweatshirt / sweater | 8 | 13 | 16 |
| Baby blanket | 16 | 26 | 30 |
| Accessories – burp cloth / bib / hat | 5 | 7 | 10 |
| Bath + Kitchen | |||
| Tablecloth | 22 | 32 | 36 |
| Robe | 32 | 46 | 50 |
| Bath towel – body | 14 | 24 | 34 |
| Bath towel – XL / beach towel | 20 | 30 | 38 |
| Hand towel / dishcloth | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| Washcloth / napkin | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| Oven mitt /potholder / placemat | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| Bath rug – 20″ x 30″ | 32 | 46 | 48 |
| Apron | 18 | 28 | 30 |
| Accessories | |||
| Hat | 14 | 16 | 23 |
| Bag – light-weight tote | 10 | 12 | 18 |
| Bag – medium-weight tote / fanny pack | 14 | 18 | 26 |
| Bag – large tote | 22 | 30 | 32 |
| Backpack / duffle bag | 35 | 46 | 48 |
| Scarf | 10 | 16 | 18 |
| Bedroom + living room | |||
| Pillowcase | 8 | 12 | 18 |
| Flat or fitted sheet – light-weight | 30 | 43 | 45 |
| Flat or fitted sheet – heavy-weight | 40 | 53 | 55 |
| Duvet cover – light-weight | 40 | 56 | 60 |
| Duvet cover – heavy-weight | 66 | 84 | 86 |
| Blanket – light-weight (no fill!) | 60 | 76 | 80 |
| Blanket – heavy-weight (no fill!) | 80 | 120 | 126 |
| Pillow cover – up to 24″ | 8 | 16 | 24 |
| Pillow cover – over 24″ | 12 | 24 | 28 |
| Curtain – up to 84″ | 48 | 65 | 68 |
| Curtain – over 84″ | 65 | 92 | 95 |
| Cushion cover – 30″ x 36″ (ish) | 30 | 54 | 56 |
| Cushion cover – over 36″ | 37 | 62 | 64 |
| Yard of fabric | 13 | 20 | 26 |
Community Dye Bath™ FAQ
What type of fabrics can go into the dye bath?
Dyeing does include a heat process, so if you have not washed these items previously or have any questions about whether your item may shrink or not be appropriate for a high-heat process, please reach out. We do not dye nylon, wool, leather, mohair, and other animal-protein fibers. Silk is one exception, but it is delicate and may incur damages.
We accept synthetics. Be sure to note/be aware of your item’s fabric makeup and color selection. If it is fully or mostly synthetic (60% and above), your item will need to be dyed in the synthetic option(s) available.
At this time we do not accept intimates/undergarments (socks, underwear, bras), shoes, or any home goods with an attached insert (ie comforter or cushion) or hard backing (rugs).
Do items have to be white to be overdyed?
Whites and lights aren’t the only colors you can dye! The original garment must be a lighter or lateral shade of the intended color to go into the dye bath (however, black can only be dyed black). Overdying intense or existing colors with new ones often creates unique hues and richer outcomes. Results vary by fabric integrity and construction.
How should I care for my items when I get them back?
Please wash your dye bath items separately for their first wash, then wash cold with like colors. We always recommend line drying when possible to extend the life of your textiles.
What dyes and processes do you use?
Our dyes are bluesign® System-approved and are safe for consumers and workers while minimizing environmental impact across the supply chain. Big improvements are in motion to speed up the process, provide greater transparency, and develop more botanical-based dye options. Our third-party certified methodology promises:
- Safe dyes for you, your family and your pets
- Natural resource efficiency (up to 50% water and chemical reduction compared to conventional applications)
- EPA-compliant wastewater emission levels
What happens if my item(s) are damaged in the process?
There is a slight chance of damage or loss, but we take many steps to mitigate this. We cannot see the entire life cycle of a garment before it gets to us and do our best to notify you of items we see as delicate or historically more damageable items beforehand. If damage or other adverse issues occur, you will be notified once your order has been completed, and the order will be returned as is. Customer acknowledges and accepts these risks when submitting items into the dye bath.