Tips & Tricks To Help Your Freshly Tie-Dyed Clothes Survive A Laundry Cycle

A fantastic tie-dyed look requires a multi-pronged approach. First, you get to unleash your creative energy mixing all kinds of boldly colored dye together. Then, you've gotta get practical and take the right laundry steps to get your new outfit ready to wear. The creative part might be a little bit more fun, but the laundering process is just as important. Without proper care, the dye won't set into your item. Goodbye vibrant colors, hello faded streaks.

To minimize the risk of the colors bleeding and fading, remember to take precautions before you throw the item in the laundry. First, after letting your freshly tie-dyed piece sit for at least 8 hours, rinse it in cold water until the water runs clear. Then, let it dry completely. When it is dry and ready for the washing machine, use mild detergent and run the item by itself. With this method, you can keep your tie-dyed clothes looking great for years.

One key thing to keep in mind when you're prepping your tie-dyed items for the laundry is that the dye you used typically doesn't immediately bond with the fabric in the way that commercial dyes do. Whether you've tie-dyed your own bed sheets or just want a groovy new t-shirt, the rinsing step helps get any undissolved initial product out of there so that it doesn't eventually bleed onto other clothes or start to streak and fade when it gets wet.

Let the dye set for eight to 24 hours before rinsing. Then, change into your rubber gloves (the cheapest pair of rubber gloves from Home Depot will do the trick). This will prevent the dye from staining your hands and forearms. Run the tie-dyed item under cold water until the water runs clear. It could take a few minutes or more depending on the size of the item and how much dye you used, but your patience will be rewarded when your colors don't bleed later. And remember — you only have to do this step this one time. Once you're done, let the item rest yet again until it is completely dry.

Now that it's dry, your tie-dyed item should be ready for the laundry. Stick it in the machine all on its own (or with other items you tie-dyed at the same time). Use a mild detergent for the wash cycle. You can also add distilled white vinegar to further prevent bleeding. When the laundry cycle is done, dry the garment on low settings, or let it air dry — just keep it out of direct sunlight, as this can lead to quick fading.

You might want to continue to launder the item on its own the next couple of times it needs a wash, just as an added precaution. And remember to steer clear of any additional laundry products, like fabric softeners or bleaches, as these can also disrupt the integrity of the dye. These simple steps should get any last hint of unbonded dye out of the item, leaving it ready to wear without fading or bleeding.