Indigo Post-Dye Rinse: Purposes and Options

Q: Your kit uses citric acid as a post-dye-rinse. Why is this necessary and can I use something different as a post-dye-rinse?

A: Dipping your fabric in a citric acid bath after dyeing rebalances the pH of your fabric and sets the indigo pigment. For an indigo post-dye rinse, any acidic household product will work: lemons and vinegar are two easy ones. Simply add some to water and submerge your piece and agitate for a few minutes. Then follow with a water rinse and a laundering.

For vinegar, you can use approximately half a cup per one gallon of water. For lemons I recommend one squeezed whole lemon per gallon of water.