How to Tie Dye Tshirts Using Rubbing Alcohol and Sharpies

Permanent markers dissolve in rubbing alcohol.

Traditional tie dying is a messy activity best done outdoors with a sizable group. If you like the look of tie dyed fabrics but don't want to make a mess, or if you only want to tie dye a single garment, you can use rubbing alcohol and sharpie markers. With this method, you can make circular rainbow patterns on white t-shirts, bandanas, napkins or any fabric item you choose.

Things You'll Need

• Cup
• Rubber band
• Squeeze bottle
• Rubbing alcohol
• Sharpie permanent markers
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Stretch your fabric over the mouth of a cup and hold it in place with a rubber band.

2. Fill a squeeze bottle with rubbing alcohol.

3. Tap the Sharpie markers to make dots in a quarter-sized circle in the center of the fabric. Use as many colors as you like.

4. Squeeze rubbing alcohol onto the dots a drop at a time until the ink spreads out as much as you want it to. The ink should look like a rainbow flower or a circle.

5. Wait for the circle of fabric to dry before moving on to the next part of the shirt.

6. Repeat the entire process until the fabric is completely covered with color.

7. Rinse the dry shirt in a 25 percent solution of white vinegar to set the colors.

8. Heat the shirt in a clothes dryer for 15 minutes to finish the setting process.

References

• Steve Spangler Science; Sharpie Pen Science; 2011