When doing the actually dying bit, you will need to cover your working surface with plastic. You also need to wear old clothes. if you don't wear rubber gloves you will achieve red, yellow or blue dyed hands, which won't wash off . Also be ready with the rags to mop up spills. When I mix the dyes I make sure that the caps are on tight and I also wipe the screw top and bottle neck to avoid "capillary action".