Galaxy Tie Dye Socks? The 224 Detailed Answer

What to color

What you color is entirely up to you! The only important requirement for anything you dye is that it’s a natural fiber: 100% cotton, silk, rayon, and wool are great options. (Shop our favorite tie-dye supplies!) Acrylic/polyester fabrics will not absorb the dye, but some blended fabrics containing these fibers can if the blend contains at least 50% cotton.

Prepare items for coloring

It is recommended that anything you wish to dye be washed first with a little detergent and nothing else (no fabric softener or dryer sheet). This will remove any residue from the fabric and will shrink it to the correct size when new. It’s okay if you skip this step – your color will still come out just fine, just a little less vibrant.

When using Tulip One-Step Tie Dye, preparation is just one more step: soak items in water and wring out excess water.

If you are using any other type of dye, be sure to follow the exact directions on the dye packaging. Don’t skip any steps!

Whether you’re a fan of the traditional spiral design or more of a bull-eye pattern type, tie-dye shirts are one of the funnest summer crafts for kids (and adults!). And it’s no wonder why people love her so much.

It’s amazing how ordinary rubber bands, squirt bottles, and brightly colored dye powder can turn your old white shirts into masterpieces with amazing patterns that are fun all year round.

But after the squeeze bottles have been washed and your tie-dye shirts have sat patiently in their plastic bags overnight, what’s the best way to wash them?

In this article you will learn how to properly care for your tie-dye shirt so that it looks as shiny as possible, does not fade over time and lasts for many years.

And, very importantly, you will learn how NOT to stain your other clothes with loose and excess paint. Because that, my friends, is the absolute worst!

So without further ado, here are five easy steps and super easy instructions on how to wash your (soon to be favorite!) new tie-dye shirt.

How to wash your tie-dye shirt for the first time:

Step 1: Leave for at least 8 hours.

The important things first. Be patient!

We know you can’t wait to see how it all unfolded. But it’s so important that you don’t take the tie-dye shirt out of the plastic bag or cling film too soon. Being as patient as possible will go a long way in allowing all of the different colors in your tie-dye shirt to show off as best as possible.

Let it sit and steep in a plastic bag with the rubber bands on top for at least eight hours (and preferably overnight).

Step 2: Remove from the plastic bag and rinse with cold water.

Once you leave it on overnight, it’s time to put on rubber gloves and protective clothing! This will avoid soiling your skin and other items with loose and excess paint.

Rinse your tie-dye shirt in cold water with the elastics still on. It’s a good idea to rinse your tie-dye shirt on its own. Do not rinse your shirt with other clothes as the loose and excess color will stain the other clothes.

You can rinse with cold water using a few different methods.

Your first option is to use a washing machine. If your washing machine has a rinse function, even better!

Your second option is to do this step by hand by rinsing your tie-dye shirt under cold running water in a large sink (the kitchen sink will do, too!).

Your third option for this step is to lay your tie-dye shirt on a flat surface like a concrete or asphalt driveway and hose it down until the water runs clear. (This is my personal favorite.)

The purpose of this step is to flush out loose and excess dye.

Step 3: Set your tie-dye.

Step three is a step that’s often overlooked, and if you skip it, the designs you’ve worked so hard on will fade faster over time. So don’t skip this simple step!

We’re talking about fixing your tie color. And contrary to what you may have read, you don’t need obscure or fancy ingredients like soda. You can just use whatever vinegar you probably have lying around somewhere in your house.

For best results, simply place your shirt (alone!) in a bucket with a gallon of water and mix it with 1-2 cups of vinegar. Swirl it around for a few minutes, then let it soak for 30 minutes. Don’t soak it with other clothes, because the loose and excess paint will stain the other clothes. After 30 minutes, remove your tie-dye shirt from the water and vinegar mixture and wring it out.

This step will serve you well for months and years to come as your tie-dye shirt and the beautiful designs you worked so hard to create will last much longer.

Step 4: Remove rubber bands.

The time has come! This is arguably the funnest part of the tie-dye process because you can finally see how your design turned out when it comes out of the plastic bags and free of the elastics.

Whether you’ve used a spiral pattern, bulls-eye pattern, the crease method, a heart-shaped pattern, a beautiful mist design, a sunburst, or any other creative tie-dye design, now is the time to see how it all works turned out.

Voila! How does it look like?

Behold your amazing tie-dye creation! Pretty soon you’ll be ready to rock your new tie-dye shirt around town.

Rinse your shirt again with cool or cold water, wring it out, and drain it until it stops dripping.

Step 5: Wash shirt with detergent in hot water (alone!)

Step four is to wash your shirt thoroughly in hot water using a very small amount of regular detergent. Again, it’s a good idea to wash your tie-dye shirt alone.

The loose and excess paint will stain other clothes.

Also, do not use fabric softener! For best results, use hot water as the high heat will help set the color. Also, set your washing machine to the smallest load.

Step 6: Repeat as needed.

Careful! You should repeat this step-by-step guide until you are certain that your tie-dye shirt is not bleeding any excess dye.

Some tie-dye shirts need to be washed twice (or more) to ensure the excess dye doesn’t stain other clothes.

For best results, wash your tie-dye shirt alone a few times before mixing with other clothes. Once it’s been washed a few times, you should be able to safely wash your tie-dye shirt with other clothes in future washes.

Step 6: Air dry.

Allow your tie-dye shirt or clothing to air dry. Air drying is better than tumble drying as the high heat can cause your bright tie dye colors to fade and you risk shrinking your shirt.

Hang your new tie-dye shirt in the sun and watch it sway in the breeze as you admire the vibrant colors on your fantastic new tie-dye t-shirt.

Helpful tips for washing your tie-dye shirt and clothes

There are some helpful tips to keep in mind when caring for your tie-dye clothing:

Always wear gloves and protective clothing when handling your tie shirt and clothing.

When handling your brand new tie-dye t-shirt, it’s a good idea to wear rubber gloves and protective clothing to protect your skin and other items. This will prevent the loose and excess paint from soiling your skin and getting onto other clothing or items.

Unless you wear rubber gloves, no matter how careful you are, you are likely to get your hands and other items dirty. And if you don’t wear protective clothing, you can soil the clothes you wear. Nobody wants that!

Use cold water for the first rinse of your tie-dye shirt.

Using cold water when rinsing your tie-dye shirt for the first time will help set the color.

Use cold water to mix with vinegar and fix the color.

Using cold water to mix it with the vinegar is an important step in fixing the dye. The hot water comes later.

For your first wash, be sure to wash your tie-dye shirt alone.

This is probably the most important helpful tip for the first wash of your tie-dye shirt. It is so important that you wash your tie-dye shirt alone the first time. Otherwise, the excess and loose paint may stain your other clothes, and you may ruin your other clothes and items.

Use hot water for your first wash to aid in the coloring.

When you first wash your tie-dye t-shirt or clothing, use hot water. The high heat helps set the color.

Helpful tips to make your tie-dye shirt last

After the first wash, it’s a good idea to wash tie-dye shirts alone or with other tie-dye items or similarly colored clothing. After three or more washes, you can rest assured that it won’t ruin your other clothes.

To be on the safe side, turn tie-dye t-shirts and clothing inside out before putting them in the washing machine to prevent excess and loose dye from soiling other garments.

For future washes, use the gentle cycle and cold water.

It’s a good idea to remove your shirt from the washing machine immediately after the wash cycle has finished. If you leave it in the washing machine for too long while it’s damp, the colors may start to bleed. This will cause the shirt to fade and the excess color could stain other clothes in the washing machine.

Always air dry if possible. If you can’t air dry your tie-dye shirt every time, consider tumble drying it on a medium or low setting. This will make your tie-dye shirt last longer and you’ll enjoy those bright colors and fun patterns for years to come.

Tie Dye Kits You’ll Love!

Are you looking for tie dye kits that will make the whole process easier next time? This one-step tie-dye kit simplifies your next tie-dye project.

Dear Reader,

There you have it! We’ve brought you super easy, no-fuss instructions, easy steps, and helpful tips on how to wash your favorite tie-dye shirt. We hope this helps make your busy life a little easier.

I have such fond childhood memories of making colorful tie-dye shirts at the camps I attended as a kid. It was always a highlight of my childhood camp experiences to be on the craft porch with the other campers in the sunshine, dipping our white t-shirt into the plastic buckets of different tie-dye colors and gently squeezing the squeeze bottles over the t-shirt and hoping that our tie-dye shirt would be as cool as we had imagined.

The best thing about the design process was that while I was always nervous that mine was going to be a disaster, it always seemed to turn out well, even if it wasn’t quite what I expected.

It’s quite difficult to screw up a fun craft like tie dyeing. Aside from that, I was always so impressed with the kids and camp attendants who could create specific patterns and unique designs and turn their old clothes into masterpieces. It really is an art!

And luckily, tie-dye shirts are finally back in fashion. Thank God! Why did they ever leave us? I’ve seen them in top brand stores recently and it’s safe to say they’re finally cool again. They’re officially back in the style of their original heyday in the sixties and seventies.

Summer memories are special and I wish you a very happy summer full of fun memories with your kids. Hang in there, you’re doing a great job with your kids.

Happy tie dying!

sincerely,

Kali autumn

Founder, Milwaukee with children

Wet vs Dry Tie Dye: Which is Better?

If you are one of the many people who have recently been bitten by the tie-dye bug, you have undoubtedly seen several different methods and techniques for dying various clothes and household textiles. However, one of the big questions is whether you should dye shirts wet or dry. It seems like almost everyone has a strong preference for one or the other, but figuring out which method really has the upper hand can be tricky.

Source: Nancy Bauer/Shutterstock.com

Whether you’re making tie-dye shirts from old clothes in your closet or you bought wholesale t-shirts specifically for this project, read on to learn more about which method is better.

Wet Tie Dye

There are many different tie-dye methods and even more opinions as to which way is best. In most cases, wet tie dye is the best choice. However, it is important to ensure that the fabric is not too wet.

Buy t-shirts wholesale

A slightly damp shirt offers the best combination of color control and formability. The slight moisture makes the fabric easier to fold and allows the color to flow freely but not too quickly. A little moisture also helps keep the fabric in place, which is helpful when attempting to fold and twist complex patterns.

Damp shirts are easy to dye, even for a beginner. A small amount of water in the fabric allows the dye to penetrate the fibers and spread well. This makes it easier to mix colors on the shirt and results in an even, even coloring.

Dry Tie Dye

Source: Image Source Trading Ltd/Shutterstock.com

While wet tie-dye is usually the best choice, dry fabric tie-dyeing has its advantages. However, it is not without its challenges. Dry cloth tends to be elastic and difficult to fold. It doesn’t stay in place, so folding and tying a dry t-shirt or other garment can seem almost impossible. If you’re thinking about dyeing a dry shirt, it’s best to fold and pin it while it’s wet and then let it dry.

Dye penetrates dry fabrics differently than wet or damp fabrics. Without the extra moisture, it spreads a lot less. Sometimes this is a negative thing. In other cases, however, it can be beneficial. Because the dye spreads less, it’s easier to control its placement on the fabric. Of course, this is great if you want to keep colors from mixing and have more control over exactly where each color lands.

Which one is better?

In most cases, wet tie dye is better than dry tie dye. This is especially true for beginners simply because it is a more straightforward process. If you’re trying to make a tie-dye shirt with clear divisions between colors, dyeing a dry garment may be a better option.

If you choose the wet method, the most important thing to remember is not to over-wet the fabric. While soaking wet fabric is easy to fold and handle, it doesn’t take color as well. Cotton and other fibers can only absorb liquid to a limited extent. If your shirt is completely soaked, the color might stay on the surface instead of seeping in. This can result in white patches or a less luminous appearance.

When it comes to deciding between wet and dry tie color, it works best to walk the middle ground and use a damp t-shirt rather than one that is completely wet or dry.

Take care of your tie-dye clothes

Regardless of which method you use, knowing how to care for your tie-dye clothing is important to ensure the finished product stays in great shape. Tie-dye clothing needs to be washed carefully to prevent fading.

Learn how to wash a tie-dye shirt

The final result

Source: VLADIMIR VK/Shutterstock.com

Making tie-dye shirts, hoodies, and other clothing and home accessories is a fun way to spend a lazy spring afternoon. It’s also a great way to express your creativity and make unique clothes to wear or give as gifts.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced dyer, wet shirt dyeing is generally the easiest and most effective method. However, there are situations where dry tie dye works well. Stock up on t-shirts in bulk from The Adair Group and you’ll have plenty of clothing to experiment with!

If you’re new to tie-dye, you might be wondering how long to leave it on before rinsing it out. This is a question many people have, and the answer may vary depending on the type of dye and the temperature. In this blog post, we discuss how long to leave tie-dye before rinsing and how to properly rinse dyed items.

Do you love to bind? For the best, brightest colors, you need to know how long to let the tie dye sit before rinsing it out. In this blog post, we explain how long to set tie-dye for and give some tips on how to get the best results from your tie-dye project!

How long does tie-dye have to sit?

Here’s the simple answer.

Tie-Dye needs to sit for at least 8 hours, ideally up to 24 hours, before rinsing it out. Keep the stained items moist and in a warm place. And if you live in an arid climate, you should keep them wrapped in plastic to keep them from drying out.

In general, it is better to leave the tie-dye on for 24 hours or as long as possible. (Some artists prefer to leave their items for two days or more!)

Giving the paint extra setting time ensures that all of the paint has time to react. So when it’s time to rinse out the color, all the color has already reacted and you don’t risk messing up your tie-dye patterns.

Other things to consider

Of course, there are other variables that affect how long you should leave the color on before rinsing it out. The exact length of time depends on the type of paint you are using and the temperature of the room.

Here are a few variables to consider when determining how long to let your tie dye sit before rinsing.

type of dye

First, consider the type of dye you are using. Some types of dye can be ready in as little as an hour, while some types of tie dye should last up to 24 hours.

Fiber-reactive dyes such as Procion MX dyes or the Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kits need to set for 8-24 hours for best results.

On the other hand, all-purpose dyes like Rit work best if you let the fabric simmer in the dye bath for at least half an hour.

Not sure what type of dye to choose? If you want to use the cold-water, squeeze-bottle tie-dye style, consider using fiber-reactive dyes such as Procion MX or Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Dyes.

The temperature

The temperature of the paint also affects the time it takes for it to cure. Keeping the freshly dyed items warm will take less time to set than storing them at a cooler temperature.

This will speed up the process

You can speed up the tie-dye fixing process by increasing the temperature of the dyed item.

For example, if you leave the freshly dyed garment at a temperature of 35°C, you can rinse it out in just 2-3 hours.

On the other hand, if you let the freshly dyed item work at a cooler temperature of 15 °C, you can only rinse it out after 2-3 days.

So if you want to speed up the tie-dye process, let the dyed items rest at a warmer temperature. Here are some ways to do that

Place the stained pieces wrapped in plastic outside in the summer sun.

Place the stained items in plastic bags and cover with an electric blanket.

Place the stained items in a microwavable plastic container and heat in short 30-second bursts for 2 minutes (more on this method below).

Whichever heating method you choose, it is important not to let the tie-dyed items dry out. When the dye dries out, the dye reaction stops. Some moisture needs to be present for the dye to react with the fabric.

Fixing tie dye in the microwave

If you really want to speed it up, you can even put tie-dye in the microwave.

First, give the dye at least an hour to fully soak into the fabric. You don’t want to set the color too early, before it has a chance to get to the middle of the fabric.

Afterward, wrap the stained item in plastic wrap or a plastic bag and place in a microwave-safe container.

Keep an eye on it all the time and heat in short 30 second bursts for a total time of 2-3 minutes. Use your best judgment and stop the microwave if you see too much steam.

You want to fully warm the garment but not dry it out. Allow the garment to cool and then rinse as above.

frequently asked Questions

Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about fixing tie dye.

What is the best type of dye?

The best type of tie dye for cotton fabric is fiber reactive dye. Fiber-reactive dyes are permanent and colorfast when used correctly. You get bright colors that won’t fade, even after repeated washing.

I recommend two types of fiber reactive dyes: Procion MX dyes and the Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kits. See our list of recommended tie-dye kits for more information.

Can tie-dye sit too long?

Yes, it’s possible. If you leave the fabric for too long, you run the risk of it drying out. And if there are uneven dry spots, you can get uneven patches of paint.

How do I keep the paint from drying out while it sets?

To keep the fabric from drying out, you can place it in a plastic bag or wrap it in plastic wrap.

Another way to keep the dye from drying out is to add some urea (a humectant) to the dye solution.

For more information, read this guide on how to fix tie-dye for the best results.

How do I wash out the color?

To rinse out the excess dye, place the tie-dye item in a sink and rinse under cold, running water. Begin removing the rubber bands and continue rinsing under cold water until the water runs clear.

Turn the item inside out, wring out the fabric and make sure you rinse off the excess dye before washing it in your washing machine.

How to wash tie dye for the first time

Once you have rinsed off the excess dye, you can wash the item in the washing machine.

Place the tie-dye item in the washing machine alone or with other tie-dye items. I recommend washing similar colors together for the first few washes. Set the load size to small and the water temperature to hot. Add a small amount of Synthrapol or other dye-resistant detergent. Do not add fabric softener. Run the wash cycle.

Wash tie-dye items separately for the first few washes to avoid dulling the colors. After that you can wash and dry them with your normal laundry.

Read this guide to washing tie-dye for the first time for more information.

How do I prevent the color from washing out?

As you start rinsing you will see some color come out of your fabric. This is normal and to be expected. You’ll see all the excess dye that hasn’t bonded to the material.

Most dyes require at least one long rinse in cold water (no detergent) followed by two washes in hot water (with detergent) to remove excess dye.

More tie dye tutorials

If you are fond of tie-dye dyeing, you may be interested in the following items:

What’s next?

Pin this post: Save this tutorial to your Pinterest boards so you can come back to it later.

Leave a comment: I appreciate your feedback. Tell me in the comments below!

Share on Instagram or Facebook: If you make this project, share it on social media and tag me @sarahmaker. I love seeing what you do!

Have questions? Join the Facebook group!

I hope this article was helpful to you! If you have any other questions, please feel free to join my Facebook group. I created this group so you can share pictures, ask questions and help each other.

Sarah Stearns has helped thousands of makers find their next craft project with free patterns and step-by-step tutorials on her blog, sarahmaker.com. Continue reading. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, Apartment Therapy, Lifehacker, and more.

If you want to learn how to tie socks, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re doing it for your own use or for an upcoming event, tying socks is actually super easy.

They’re also a fun way to add some sparkle and individuality to your branding or promotional gear!

We show you how to dye your own socks in 7 easy steps. But first, let’s discuss what type of socks you should tie for best results.

What kind of socks can you tie?

Of course, tie-dying your socks starts with finding the right socks first. Not every type will work well, and finding the right material is key. This might sound like common sense to some, but make sure the socks you choose are white and try to stay away from ankle socks.

Also, stick to socks that are at least 75% cotton, as they absorb color best. Trying to use something like polyester will give dismal results, with your end product looking faded.

Necessary accessories for dyeing socks

A quality batik work starts with quality materials. We’ve already discussed what kind of socks you can tie, so you should be covered there.

But the colors used also play a major role. Here’s a complete list of the materials you’ll need to tie your first pair of socks from home.

White cotton socks

Rainbow Tie Dye Squeeze Bottles

rubber bands

gloves

Bowl or container of water

Something to work on, such as a tulip cover or plastic wrap

A plastic bag or extra bowl to hold your socks while you work on the others

If you don’t feel like grabbing all those supplies, there are all kinds of tie-dye kits that have pretty much everything you need to get started.

How to dye socks from home – step by step instructions

Now, without further ado, let us teach you how to tie socks. It’s as easy as 7 steps and a lot easier than you might think!

Step 1) Wet the socks

To help the color hold better, start by soaking your socks. You can simply fill a bowl with water, soak your socks, and wring them out over the bowl.

You can toss the wet socks in your plastic bag for now and keep soaking your socks until you’re all done.

Step 2) Fold and gum your socks

The hardest part of dyeing socks is folding them to prepare them for dyeing. If you browse Pinterest or Google you will see all the different ways people fold, roll and twist their socks to tie them, but you can easily do this.

Just take a pair, roll them up and tie them with a rubber band so that they look like a cylinder or a cake. This is the easiest way to adequately cover the socks with tie-dye.

Step 3) Prepare your dyes

Once you’ve prepared your socks for tie-dying, you need to prepare your dyes. They probably need to be diluted.

This will depend on your particular brand of tie-dye, but most are around 2 tsp/cup of water. You can add 1 tablespoon of salt to your mixture to help the dye absorb into your socks even better.

Most people use a rainbow collection of dyes – including purple, blue, green, yellow and red. You can go as crazy as you like or use any combination of colors, but this is the default combination.

Once you have diluted all of your dyes and mixed thoroughly, fill up individual squirt bottles. Shake up all your dyes, and then it’s time for the fun part – the actual dyeing process.

Step 4) Dye the socks

Now’s the moment you’ve been waiting for – actually dye your socks! Cover up and get going.

Starting with one color at a time, begin coloring the individual pie slices of your sock rolls. Do one color at a time, making sure to poke the tip of your bottle into all the crevices in your roll to make sure everything is covered in color. Otherwise you’ll end up with white spots on your socks, which indicates an amateur tie-dye job!

Step 5) Leave the soaks in (12 hours)

After dipping your socks in tie-dye, you can leave them aside overnight to let the fibers soak up all the dye.

Come back 12 hours later and the socks will probably be dry. At this point you can begin the washing and drying process.

Step 6) Wash the tie-dyed socks

You should then remove the elastics from your socks and take them to a garden hose or sink.

You should give them a really good rinse until the water runs clear, or just toss them in the washing machine.

Start with a simple cold rinse (no detergent) to really rinse off the excess color. Then put in some detergent and give them a decent wash cycle.

Step 7) Dry your socks

Use the hottest cycle your dryer has to dry your socks after the wash cycle. At this point your work is done!

Final thoughts on sock dyeing

Now that you know how to tie socks, you can get your supplies and get started!

We wanted to finish with some general tie-dye recommendations. While the cover you use for your workspace will absorb most of your mess, you should still be very careful.

In fact, we recommend doing this outside in the backyard if possible, or in case of a mishap on a tiled floor with cleaning supplies nearby.

Make sure you’re not wearing any clothing you don’t want to tie during the process, and wear an apron and gloves.