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Safe Washing Guide for Tie Dye Clothing
March 23, 2023
-
By
Sophia Grant
Tie dye clothing is made with special dyes that are fiber-reactive, meaning that they react with fabric molecules.
More specifically, the fiber reactive dyes will bond with the material (e.g. cotton fabric, rayon, and linen works best) and becomes a part of the garment.
The result is permanent; the colors will not fade even with multiple washings.
Making Your Own Tie Dye Shirt
One of the best things about tie-dye shirts is that you can easily make them at home. You just need two things – a tie-dye kit and a white t-shirt, the former of which you can probably find at a craft store.
Aside from that, everything else you need you probably already have at home (e.g. apron, protective gloves, ziplock bags, etc).
To make a tie dye shirt, all you have to do is apply the dye to the shirt.
There are various techniques that you can use to add different patterns, and don’t hesitate to play around with more than one color. If anything, it’ll give your shirt a more vibrant look.
Once you’re finished dying, seal the shirt in a ziplock bag and let it sit overnight. Your tie dye shirt will be ready in the morning.
Keeping Your Tie-Dye Items Clean
Tie-dyed items may be bright and colorful, but at the end of the day, they’re still clothing, meaning that they will get dirty and smelly.
This is especially true if you leave them in a pile on the floor.
Not only that but your tie dyed garment can also become stained and the longer you wait, the harder it’ll be to remove.
How to Wash Tie-Dye Shirts For the First Time
Can you wash tie-dye clothing like normal clothing? How can you prevent the dyes from fading? Are there certain products that you want to avoid?
These are some of the things that we’ll be addressing below.
Are Tie-Dyed Garments Machine Washable?
Generally speaking, you can treat your tie-dye shirt like any other shirt and put it in the washer.
Step 1: Rinse With Cold Water
The first thing that you want to do is to rinse the shirt with cold water. That will allow you to rinse out any loose dye that might be on the fabric, which will prevent it from loosing too much color at once.
Once you’ve rinsed all the excess dye off the shirt, you’re ready to wash it.
Step 2: Use a Laundry Bag
For the best results, place the tie dye shirt in a mesh laundry bag – that will prevent it from being damaged in the machine.
If you don’t have a mesh bag, you can improvise with a clean pillowcase; just tie off the end with some rubber bands.
Step 3: Add Detergent
For the best results, you want to use a synthrapol detergent – it’s a special type of chemical that’s effective at rinsing excess dyes. Be sure to follow the directions on the label.
Otherwise, you can use a mild detergent like the one by ACTIVE.
Step 4: Run a Wash Cycle
Place the shirt in the washer and run a delicate cycle with cold water.
Step 5: Check the Garment
Check to see if your shirts look clean after the final rinse cycle. Then allow it to air dry on a drying rack.
Supply:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Synthrapol detergent (optional)
- Laundry bag
- Drying rack
Skip the fabric softener and other chemicals – it can lead to a dye reaction, which can cause the colors to run.
ACTIVE Laundry Detergent
Safely clean and care for your tie dye clothing items.
Hand Washing Tie Dye Shirts Properly
You can also wash your tie dye shirts by hand in the sink. Here’s how to do it.
Supplies:
- Water
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Plastic wrap (optional)
- Rubber gloves (optional)
- Towel
- Clothesline
Step 1:
Rinse the tie dye shirt with cold water. The goal is to rinse out all of the excess dye; you can tell when you’re done by the color of the water (you want it to turn clear).
Step 2:
Fill a basin or tub with warm water; the heat will help set the remaining dye so that it will not transfer to other items.
Then add a small amount of laundry detergent and mix to create soapy solution.
Step 3:
Place your tie-dyed shirt in the basin and let it soak for at least 15 minutes (longer if necessary). Wear rubber gloves, if necessary.
Step 4:
Gently massage the fabric with your hands. Rinse the tie dye shirt with water until the water runs clear afterwards, then allow it to air dry.
If necessary, you can cover the shirt with a piece of plastic wrap to prevent stains.
Do not twist or wring the shirt as that can permanently stretch out the fabric.
Best Way to Remove Stains From a Tie-Dye Shirt
Stains should be treated as soon as possible. Unlike regular shirts, however, you want to be careful about the type of spot remover that you use; the wrong product can easily remove the stain together with the dye.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Warm water
- Soft bristle brush
Step 1:
To be safe, it’s best to use regular laundry detergent as a spot treatment.
To do this, mix a bowl of warm water with a little bit of detergent (we recommend using ACTIVE Detergent).
Step 2:
Using a soft-bristled brush (e.g. old toothbrush), apply the solution to the stain. Make sure to saturate the entire area.
Once you’ve done that, leave it alone for 20 minutes; that will allow the detergent to lift the stain.
Step 3:
Rinse the shirt with cold water afterwards.
Then check to see if the stain is removed. If it isn’t, repeat the steps again. If it’s gone, you can wash the tie dye shirt as normal.
Tips For Setting Tie-Dye on Clothing
Here are a few tips on how to set your tie dye shirt properly.
Use White Vinegar
White vinegar isn’t just for cooking and cleaning, it can also be used to set your tie dye shirt.
Supplies:
- White vinegar
- Water
Step 1:
Fill a sink with cool water and add 1-2 cups of white vinegar, depending on the size of your tie dyed items.
Step 2:
Swish the water with your hands until it’s thoroughly mixed and place the tie dye items in.
Step 3:
Leave the shirt in the sink for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with water.
Using Table Salt and Vinegar
Vinegar can also be used with salt. Here’s what you want to do.
Supplies:
- White vinegar
- Table salt
- Water
Step 1:
Fill a sink with water, then add 1-2 cups of white vinegar.
Step 2:
Add a generous amount of table salt to the vinegar solution and mix.
Step 3:
Submerge your tie-dye items and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes, making sure that the fabric is completely immersed.
Wash the garment as normal afterwards.
How to Wash Tie Dye Items – FAQs
What do I need for a tie dye project?
You’ll need tie dye kits, which you can find at most craft stores. You’ll also need a white t-shirt for the project. You can also use soda ash if you want to brighten the shirt.
Should you wash tie dyed items with hot or cold water?
It’s best to wash tie dyed shirts with cold water. Hot water can cause the colors to fade quickly.
What’s the best way to remove excess dye from a shirt?
The best way to remove excess dye is by rinsing the item with cold water.
Can you wash tie dyed shirts with other clothing?
o, it’s best to wash tie dyed garments by themselves in the washer as there’s always a chance the dyes can run and transfer onto your other clothes.
This is especially true for the first few washes as there may still be excess dye on the fabric.
Remember, the most important thing is to rinse the garment before washing, especially if it’s freshly dyed. That’ll help prevent the excess dye from running.
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Sophia Grant
Sophia Grant brings her extensive knowledge of laundry and clothing care to the masses with her intensive cleaning guides. Her thorough understanding of fabrics, detergents, and washing techniques helps readers master the art of maintaining their wardrobe. Sophia's advice ensures that anyone can achieve professional-level results at home, keeping their garments looking pristine and lasting longer.
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