How to Make Pink Shirts in the Washer

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Things You'll Need

  • White shirts

  • Washing machine

  • Hot water

  • Pink commercial liquid or powder dye

  • Bowl

  • Dryer

  • Detergent

  • Bleach

Dye white shirts pink in your washing machine.

You can dye your shirts pink easily with a commercial dye in your own washing machine. The washing machine will agitate the clothes and spread the dye evenly over the entire shirt. The washing machine is an ideal place to dye your clothes because dying works best when the clothes are completely soaked in water and are agitated. Purchase commercial fabric dye at your local craft or fabric supply store.

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Step 1

Wash the shirts in a regular washing machine cycle to remove any dirt and oils. Dirt and oils can cause an inconsistent final color when dyeing.

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Step 2

Fill the washing machine with hot water and pause the cycle.

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Step 3

Consult the dye package to determine how much of the pink liquid or powder dye to use for a full washing machine. Dissolve that amount in a bowl with 2 cups of hot water. Add the dissolved dye to the hot water in the washing machine.

Step 4

Immerse the shirts in a sink full of hot water. Add the shirts to the dye in the washing machine.

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Step 5

Set the machine for the longest cycle so that it soaks and agitates the shirts for at least 30 minutes.

Step 6

Let the dye drain from the washing machine and fill it again with cold water. Repeat the soak and rinse cycles until the water runs clear. Do not add detergent to the cycles.

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Step 7

Dry the shirts in your dryer or on a clothesline.

Step 8

Clean your washing machine by filling it with hot water, adding detergent and 1 cup of bleach. This will prevent the dye from sticking to the walls of your washing machine and dying your future loads of clothes.

Tip

If your washing machine does not have an extended cycle, reset the cycle before the rinse cycle begins.

Your washing machine may have some pink residue from the dye, but if you clean the washing machine it will not dye your clothes.

Make sure all the starch is removed from the shirts as the starch will act against the dye and will cause it to set improperly.

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