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How to Rinse & Wash Tie-Dye the First Time

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If you’ve just made a cool tie-dye t-shirt and are wondering how to wash it the first time, you’re in luck! In this blog post, I’ll give you some tips on washing your tie-dyed items for the first time so that the colors stay bright and vibrant for years to come.

a variety of tie dye t-shirts in multiple bright colors

This summer, so many people are learning how to tie-dye some t-shirts. Spiral, rainbow, and even heart-shaped designs – tie-dye patterns are so much fun!

But how do you wash tie-dyed shirts the first time so that they stay bright and colorful?

Before you wash tie-dye for the first time, make sure you read this post – I’ll show you how to wash tie-dye the first time so that the colors don’t fade in the wash.

How to Wash Tie Dye

The key to getting vibrant colors that don’t wash out is twofold: setting the tie-dye long enough and washing it properly.

So, what’s the best way to wash tie-dye? 

Here are the steps to wash tie-dye for the first time:

  1. Rinse out the excess dye under cold running water.
  2. Take off the rubber bands, and keep rinsing until the water runs clear.
  3. Wash the tie-dyed items in the washing machine with hot water and Synthrapol detergent.
  4. Wash tie-dyed items separately for the first few wash cycles, so the colors don’t get muddied. After that, you can wash and dry them with your regular laundry.

Notice what I didn’t include? Vinegar. Some people recommend setting tie-dye with white vinegar or salt to keep colors bright, but that’s just not necessary. 

Read on to learn the best ways to wash tie-dye and keep your shirts looking bright and vibrant.

a photo collage showing how to fold a t-shirt with rubber bands and apply tie-dye in a nebula design.

Start with the right dye and fabrics.

First things first. The most important thing you can do to ensure your tie-dye doesn’t fade in the wash is to select high-quality, colorfast dyes.

When using cotton fabric, the best type of tie dye is fiber reactive dye. If you use them correctly, fiber-reactive dyes are permanent – they won’t fade, even after repeated washings.

I recommend two types of fiber reactive dye: Procion MX dyes and the Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye kits. For more info, check out our list of the best tie-dye kits.

What about Polyester? If you want to try dyeing polyester or other synthetics, you’ll need to use a special type of dye and a high-heat technique.

Do I need a soda ash pre-soak? 

Soaking your fabric in a soda ash solution before dying can give you brighter, more saturated colors. When you’re working with Procion MX dyes, you’ll need to pre-soak your fabric in a soda ash solution before dying.

But, if you’re using the Tulip One-Step tie-dye kits, you don’t need a soda ash pre-soak. Tulip dyes are formulated with soda ash already in the dye powder, so you don’t need the separate pre-soak step.

To learn more about how to tie-dye for the best results, read this guide: How to Tie Dye – Easy Techniques for Beginners

Set the tie-dye.

The second most important step to keep your tie-dye colors from fading is to make sure you let the tie-dye “set” or “process” for long enough. The dye reaction needs time, heat, and water to create a permanent bond with the fabric.

How do you set tie-dye?

First, let the dye set on the fabric for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight. You can even let it sit longer, up to 24 hours. Longer setting times will result in brighter, stronger colors.

While it sets, make sure to keep the fabric warm enough – at least 70°F (21°C) for the best results. The dye reaction happens more quickly at warmer temperatures.

And finally, make sure to keep the dyed fabric damp while it sets. I usually put the dyed items in a plastic bag to keep them from drying out overnight.

For more information about setting tie-dye, read this article: How to Set Tie Dye.

How long should tie-dye sit before rinsing?

Let tie-dyed items sit for at least 8 hours, or up to 24 hours, at room temperature.

Does vinegar set tie-dye?

No, vinegar does not set tie-dye. It is not a dye fixative, and it will not help tie-dye from rinsing out in the wash.

tie dye t-shirt with a rainbow spiral design

Rinse out the excess dye.

After the tie-dye has set for at least 8-24 hours, you can start to rinse it out.

  1. Rinse the tie-dye bundle under cold running water in a utility sink. You’ll see some color coming out from your dyed fabric – this is just the extra dye.
  2. Then, remove the rubber bands or strings from your fabric. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear.
  3. You can try flipping the fabric and wringing out the fabric to ensure that you rinse out all the excess dye.

Tip: You may want to wear gloves so that the bright colors don’t stain your hands! If you do get some dye on your hands, don’t worry. Read this guide on how to get tie-dye off your hands.

Some color will rinse out. This is normal.

When you start rinsing, you’ll see some color coming out of your fabric. This is normal and to be expected.

What you’re seeing is all the excess dye that hasn’t bonded to the fabric. Most dyes need at least one long rinse in cool water (without detergent) followed by two washes in hot water (with detergent) to remove excess dye.

Washing Tie-Dye For the First Time

After you’ve rinsed the fabric, you can wash it for the first time. You can wash it by hand or in your washing machine.

  1. Wring out the excess water. Place the tie-dyed item in the washing machine by itself or with other tie-dyed items. (Wash similar colors together to avoid color bleeding.)
  2. Select the smallest load size, if applicable.
  3. Set the water temperature to hot.
  4. Add a small amount of Synthrapol or another dye-safe laundry detergent. (Don’t use any fabric softener.)
  5. Run the wash cycle.

What laundry detergent should I use to wash tie-dye?

It’s a good idea to use a special detergent, called Synthrapol, to wash out excess dye and prevent the dye colors from mixing. (Synthrapol doesn’t help set the dye – it just helps wash out the extra dye.)

Can you wash tie-dye shirts together?

Yes, you can wash similarly colored tie-dyed items together in the wash for the first time. I would wash all the light-colored shirts together and all the dark-colored shirts together to prevent muddying the colors.

Don’t wash tie-dye shirts for the first time with your regular laundry, though. Run the newly dyed items through at least two separate wash cycles before washing them with your other laundry.

Can you wash tie-dye in the washing machine?

Yes, you can wash tie-dye items for the first time in your washing machine. You may need to wash the tie-dyed garments separately for the first few washes. But after that, you’ll be safe to wash them with your regular laundry.

Do you wash tie-dye in hot or cold water?

Rinse tie-dye items in cold or cool water until the excess dye has been removed and the water runs clear. Then, wash the tie-dye items in hot water with Synthrapol or another dye-safe laundry detergent.

Drying Tie-Dye for the First Time

After all the excess dye has been rinsed out, and after you’ve washed the dyed item with detergent, you can dry it in the dryer.

Place the item in the dryer by itself or with other tie-dyed items, and dry on high.

Note: Items dyed with fiber-reactive dye don’t need to be “heat-set,” so you don’t have to dry them on high heat if you don’t want to. You can also line-dry them.

The next few times you wash tie-dye

I prefer to wash the tie-dyed garments separately for their first few washes. But after that, you’ll be safe to wash them with your regular laundry.

How to keep the white areas white

Here are some tips to keep the dye from staining any areas you want to keep white.

  1. Use Procion or other fiber-reactive dyes, not Rit or other all-purpose dyes.
  2. Allow at least 24 hours of setting time for the dye to finish its reaction. After this time passes, the dye should be inactive and less likely to bond with the white areas of the fabric during the rinse/wash process.
  3. Rinse completely in cool water, then wash with Synthrapol or another detergent in a hot water cycle. You may need to run the items through 2 hot water cycles to remove all the excess dye.

How to prevent tie-dye items from fading

After all that work folding and dying your tie-dye pattern, you’ll want to make sure your tie-garments stay looking their best. Here are a few tips to keep tie-dye items from fading.

  • Use the right dye powders on the right type of fabric. Fiber-reative dyes with cotton, and disperse dyes with polyester.
  • Wash the tie-dyed items with similar colored clothing.
  • Turn tie-dye items inside out before washing.
  • Use a gentle laundry detergent.
  • Dry on low heat, or air dry.

More Tie Dye Tutorials

For even more information about tie-dye, check out the following articles:

What’s Next?

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white t shirt with a rainbow spiral tie dye design

How to Wash Tie Dye for the First Tme

Yield: 1
Active Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

How to wash tie-dye items for the first time so that they don't fade in the wash.

Materials

  • newly tie-dyed item
  • Synthrapol or another laundry detergent

Tools

  • utility sink or hose
  • washing machine

Instructions

  1. Rinse out the excess dye under cold running water.
  2. Take off the rubber bands, and keep rinsing until the water runs clear.
  3. Wash the tie-dyed items in the washing machine with hot water and Synthrapol detergent.
  4. Wash tie-dyed items separately for the first few wash cycles, so the colors don't get muddied.
  5. After that, you can wash and dry them with your regular laundry.

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Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Gram

Sunday 20th of August 2023

Thank you for your thorough write up on what seems like a crucial step of the process.

I just dyed a bunch of new 100% cotton shirts (washed first, soaked in soda ash after washing, dyed wet) using Jaquard 'iDye for natural fabrics' dye. Should I shoot for 24hr set time, or will leaving the shirts (currently bagged and sealed in gallon bags at above 70 degrees) for 36 hours be problematic?

Life is the main reason waiting would be good, and that it's a surprise for someone I live with.

Thanks in advance!

Sarah Stearns

Tuesday 22nd of August 2023

Hi there, Unless I'm mistaken, I think iDye is a a hot water dye that is meant for the stovetop. Can you check the instructions on the packet? Maybe they've come out with a cold water version.

Gale Webster

Sunday 11th of June 2023

What detergent can I use to wash tie dyed items if I don’t have synthropol ?

Sarah Stearns

Sunday 11th of June 2023

You can use your regular detergent. Synthrapol is recommended by professional dyers because it helps to remove excess dye from the wash, helping keep colors bright and preventing your design from looking "muddy".

Loretta

Tuesday 31st of May 2022

Your page is exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately, I was seriously disappointed in my first attempt at tie-dying. When I first dyed the shirts they were dark and bright. But then the rinse step to remove the "excess" dye seemed to remove about 95% of it. The shirts are almost white again. Don't think tie-dying is in my future.

Sarah Stearns

Tuesday 31st of May 2022

Hi Loretta, Sorry to hear that. What brand of tie dye did you use?

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