Do not use the same pots or utensils for dyes that you cook with. Try not to do your dyeing in the kitchen. I use an electric hot plate and do my dyeing outdoors when weather permits, otherwise, in the basement.

If you are using hot liquids, use standard precautions, as you would when you are cooking foods. Burns can be quite nasty.

Wear rubber gloves. Although many dyes on the market state that they have no demonstrated health risk, it is better to be safe. Dyes on the hands are also unattractive.

Dye powders can be irritating to your lungs. Wear a mask. Powder dyes can also travel through the air quite well, making marks on your ceiling, clothing, carpets, etc.

During one of our recent Chat sessions, Sandra told us about the Dye Box that she made. She used a large cardboard box and cut a flap into it. The dyes are mixed inside the box, reducing the amount of dye that can escape and travel airborne to undesirable locations. Great idea, Sandra!

Another safe guard for the dye box is to wet the inside of the box so when the dye starts to fly it will stick to the box. You can do this with a mister and lightly mist the inside. Hope this helps someone stay safe.

Roberta Miglin