How to Set Tie Dye Shirts

Set tie-dye shirts to ensure the colors won't fade.

After choosing your colors and creating a design on a T-shirt, prevent it from fading or becoming dingy by setting the dye. Performing a final step will set the dye and make it permanent in the fibers of the shirt. Skipping this last step may be tempting, but your bright tie dye pattern will not last as long or stay vibrant on your T-shirt.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Paper towels
• Gallon-size plastic bag (zipper style)
• 1 tbsp. dishwashing detergent

Instructions

1. Wrap the freshly tie-dyed shirt in paper towels and place the wrapped shirt into the plastic bag.

2. Squeeze the excess air from the plastic bag and seal the bag.

3. Set the bag aside for 24 hours. If you allow more than 24 hours to elapse, the edges of your tie-dye colors may blur slightly.

4. Open the bag after the 24 hours elapses and take the shirt out of the bag. Remove the paper towels surrounding the T-shirt and discard them.

5. Fill a sink with hot water and add 1 tbsp. of dishwashing detergent to the hot water. Swirl the water around to make bubbles appear.

6. Put the shirt in the water and hand wash it thoroughly. You will see dye come off the shirt in the water as you wash it.

7. Rinse the shirt in hot water until the water runs clear and no additional dyes come off the T-shirt.

8. Place the T-shirt into the dryer. Set the dryer to a hot setting and dry the shirt completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear rubber gloves throughout the entire tie-dying process and the final setting process to protect your hands from the dyes.

References

• Arizona State University: Physical Science Lessons
• Truman State University: Chemlab