Tie-dye shirts are radiant to the eyes and fun to make! It is satisfying how you can make your old (or new) white shirts into an amazing colorful masterpiece with only the use of squirt bottles, rubber bands, and bright-colored dye powder.
It would be a shame if the tie-dye pattern you have worked hard on easily fades. In this article, we will help you learn how to take care of your tie-dye shirts to ensure it stays bright and brilliant for the years to come.
Wear gloves or protective clothing at first wash.
It is a good idea to wear gloves or any protective clothing when handling brand new tie dyed shirts. The gloves will protect your skin and other clothes since there may be loose or excess dye that can stain your skin and get on other clothes or items.
Moreover, your tie dye shirt is not recommended to be sent to a laundry delivery service as it may stain other clothes. This is very important on the first wash of your tie dye clothes.
Use hot water on the first wash.
There are a lot of considerations in the first wash of your tie dye shirt. You have to use hot water to set loose and excess dye in the fabric; the high heat helps set the color. Do not worry; you can use cold water in a gentle cycle on its future washes.
Immediately remove the shirt after the wash cycle.
You might be used to leaving your washer unattended when washing and returning for it later. However, this is not a good practice. You have to remove your shirt immediately after the washer finishes its cycle. Leaving them damp in the washer might cause its colors to bleed. The dye starts to fade, and the excess may stain other clothing inside the washer.
Always air dry when possible.
Air drying your tie dye shirt helps the bright colors and fun patterns last a longer time. If you cannot air dry your shirts, consider drying them in a dryer on a low heat setting. High heat will cause the bright tie dye to fade and may shrink your shirt.
How to Keep Dye Bright After Washes
A common problem with tie dye shirts is the color fades easily. Here is what you can do to prevent that from happening and keep the tie dye as bright as before:
- Only use gentle and color-safe laundry detergent. This is also applicable to your other clothes. If you are fond of bringing your clothes to a laundry service, ensure that their laundry detergent is gentle and color-safe.
- Soak your tie dye in equal parts of cold water and white vinegar. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Vinegar is a great help with colorfastness.
- After the second wash, you can wash the shirt in cold water to prevent the dye from fading. Do not use the dryer; instead, air dry your shirt.
Keep these helpful tips in mind to properly take care of your tie-dye clothing properly.