How to Make Bleach Tie-Dye Shirts

Tie-dyed t-shirts appeal to all ages.

Tie-dyed t-shirts became a popular trend for the young rock 'n roll generation of the 1960s. They reflected the psychedelic aesthetic of the time and also allowed individuals to make their own personal and unique statements, since no two t-shirts were exactly the same. Tie-dyed t-shirts are still popular with high school and college-age kids as well as the aging members of the original hippie generation. Making your own shirt is an easy process that only requires a few household items.

Things You'll Need

• Container
• Measuring cup
• Bleach
• Rubber bands
• Marbles
• Rubber or latex gloves

Instructions

1. Put on an old shirt and pair of pants. If you are wearing old clothes you don't have to be overly concerned with the bleach dripping, running or splashing on your clothes. Put on protective latex or rubber gloves.

2. Fill a utility sink or a large container with bleach and water. Use one cup of bleach for four cups of water. The ratio dilutes the bleach so that it won't damage the cotton fabric. Fill a spray bottle with the bleach and water as well. Spraying the t-shirt as well as submerging is an easy way to create interesting patterns.

3. Twist the t-shirt into various shapes and secure the shapes with rubber bands. Different size rubber bands are a useful technique for creating smaller and larger shapes. Twisting the t-shirt creates one pattern and folding the t-shirt creates a different pattern. Another trick is to place marbles inside the t-shirt. Twist the t-shirt around the marble to create a bulging shape and secure the t-shirt with a rubber band to hold the shape in place.

4. Submerge the t-shirt into the water/bleach solution. Allow it to sit in the solution for five ten minutes. Stir the solution two or three times with a wooden spoon to help the solution to penetrate the wrinkles and folds of the t-shirt.

5. Rinse the t-shirt in a sink or container with fresh warm water to remove bleach residue. Wash the t-shirt in the washing machine with other clothes to remove the last traces of bleach residue.

References

• Craft Bits: Tie-Dying Using Bleach