how to tie dye

What You’ll Need:

  • 100% cotton clothing (like t-shirts or sweatshirts)

  • Fiber-reactive dye (like Tulip or Dharma Trading Co.)

  • Squeeze bottles

  • Rubber bands

  • Plastic gloves

  • Plastic table cover or trash bags

  • Plastic bags (for setting the dye)

  • Water and buckets

  • Bleach (for reverse dye)

  • Spray bottle (for reverse dye)

Spiral Tie Dye Technique

Best for: Classic swirl patterns on shirts or tanks.

Steps:

  1. Lay the shirt flat. Pinch the center and start twisting until the whole shirt forms a flat disc.

  2. Use rubber bands to section the shirt into 6–8 wedges.

  3. Apply different colors to each wedge, flipping to get both sides.

  4. Seal in a plastic bag for 6–8 hours, then rinse until the water runs clear.

  5. Wash on cold, dry, and wear!

Crumple (Scrunch) Tie Dye Technique

Best for: Textured, marble-like color blends.

Steps:

  1. Scrunch the shirt randomly into a pile.

  2. Use a few rubber bands to loosely hold the shape.

  3. Add dye in random patches for a messy, artsy look.

  4. Let it set for 6–8 hours, rinse, and wash

Reverse Tie Dye Technique

Best for: Black or dark clothing using bleach.

Steps:

  1. Choose a black cotton tee or hoodie.

  2. Scrunch or spiral the fabric and secure with rubber bands.

  3. Fill a spray bottle with half bleach and half water.

  4. Spray the shirt (outside or in a ventilated area).

  5. Let sit for 5–15 minutes—watch closely!

  6. Rinse, wash separately, and optionally add colored dye over the bleached areas.

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Final Tips:

  • Wash dyed items separately the first few washes.

  • Wear gloves to avoid staining your hands.

  • Pre-wash fabric to remove any coating or sizing.

  • Let colors fully set for vibrant results.