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You may be one of those people who occasionally find themselves with an item of clothing that would be absolutely perfect-if it was just another color. It’s probably crossed everyone’s mind, at some point to simply dye it. On the surface, it makes great sense. After all, dyeing is positioned to be easy, quick and inexpensive-all the while allowing us to maximize our wardrobe options. It’s easy to believe that we’ll wear something more if only it matched something else, or went better with our favorite pants…But, truth be told, dyeing is nowhere the lifesaver advertisers would like us to believe.

My dyeing history goes back to my high school days. Back then, it was tie-dyeing, which usually succeeded because mistakes were never noticeable. (And, I’m glad to say, it’s still popular at children’s summer camps; my daughter still has her tied-dyed pillowcase from years ago…) But it’s when mistakes shouldn’t be noticeable that dyeing has failed me-because, unfortunately, mistakes are easily made when it comes to dyeing.

Now, I can read and follow instructions, so I simply don’t know why dyeing failed me. I used the right amount of color, the proper methods, and prepared the material as directed. I spent what must have amounted to hours of my life stirring heated pots of goop (inhaling what has to be one of the most disgusting smells ever created), only to face disappointment from discolorations, spots or unevenness when my item dried.

Ever the optimist, I’d keep going back, believing that I couldn’t let dye get the best of me. I’d do it until I got it right. Hah! Occasionally, a second attempt would work at providing uniform coverage, but there would be some repercussions. These consisted of the excess dye never really washing out, but managing to find its way onto my underwear and skin. It also meant that the item required separate laundering-a real pain. (However, overlooking this basic need meant the possibility of all other items coming out of the laundry splotched and stained and therefore ruined.)

Once I tried dyeing a shirt and top, out of the same material but different colors, in hopes of getting a coordinated set. Now, you’d think this would be fairly elementary for any basic dye, but the hues came out markedly different. I’ve dyed just about every item you could think of (except underwear or nightwear) and can’t say the experience was ever easy. Occasionally the results were fairly good, but never great-and more often than not, they weren’t even adequate. (I actually reached a point where I figured bleaching color out would be a lot less aggravating than trying to put color in-just like with hair...)

Along the way, I also attempted shoe dyeing. Now, this really isn’t anywhere near as annoying. First, you aren’t tying up your washer or stove, and don’t have nearly the mess. Second, it doesn’t take 45-60 minutes of constant attention; you simply sit the shoe on newspaper, brush the dye on the shoe and allow it to dry-with no worry about drips leaving permanent marks. If the color was similar to the original, I’d stuff with additional newspaper, but if it was a dramatic change, I’d go around the edges. (Be warned though, that doing so can result in dye transfer onto skin from sweating, and will be noticeable if light stockings or pantyhose are worn with the shoes.) However, it’s really a shoe rejuvenator if the pair is still comfy and fashionable, but rather scuffed or a victim of irremovable stains.

Dyeing is not for everyone, or the answer to many situations-but it may be helpful every so often. My humble opinion, for what it’s worth, it that only professionals should dye items that are expensive or have any amount of sentimental meaning; consumer dyes just don’t seem to be dependable enough to do an important job properly. But, if you have time on your hands and have been wondering if some unused clothing may acquire a second life with a little color change, dyeing is worth a chance-as long as you don’t get your hopes up. Who knows? You just may be pleasantly surprised at the results.