This is a cover picture about how to remove tie-dye from clothing.

How to Get Tie Dye Out of Clothes

Written by Lindsey Roberts

|

Published on

|

Modified on

|

Reading time for 7 min

Tie-dye is a popular textile art widely used in the fashion industry. It is mostly used on t-shirts and hoodies. Tie-dye produces multiple designs and sometimes you can get the patterns wrong. Can you remove the tie dye from your clothes to redo the procedure?

This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to get tie dye out of your clothes. Read on to learn.

What is Tie Dye and How Does It Work?

Tie-dyeing is a hand-dyeing method where you produce colored patterns in a fabric. The procedure involves gathering numerous small potions of material, tying them tightly with a rubber band or string, and immersing the cloth in a dye bath.

The technique prevents the dye from penetrating the tied sections. This resist-dyeing approach creates colorful patterns on the fabric. You'll have a unique design after the cloth dries, untie it, and voila.

Type of Clothes Ideal for Tie Dye and Why

The best clothes for tie-dyeing are those made of natural fabric, such as linen, cotton, silk, rayon, and hemp . These fabrics are made of cellulose, which reacts well with dye to produce permanent vibrant colors.

Can You Salvage Tie-Dyed Clothes?

Sometimes, trying to tie-dye your favorite hoodie can go against your plans. However, you can always salvage tie-dyed clothes that didn’t turn out as expected . There are different approaches to doing this, but we’ll get to that later in the article.

Why Get Tie Dye Out of Clothes?

Ridding your clothes of tie-dye can be influenced by two major factors. It’s logical to get dye out of clothes if it is bleeding onto other clothes in the wash . Getting tie dye out of clothes can also be triggered by the need to remove a dye stain .

Is Tie Dye Difficult to Remove?

Tie Dye leaves a strong pattern after it dries and can be difficult to remove . Although stubborn and difficult, there are methods to approach this challenge . Tie Dye can stain your hands and clothes during the dyeing process and there are methods to remove the stains from each.

This guide will focus on getting rid of tie-dye in clothes, but stay put for the upcoming one on removing tie-dye stains from your hands.

Basic Tips Before Removing Tie-Dye From Clothes

Before you go full-blown in your attempt to remove tie dye from your favorite tee, some basics will help you do a better job and avoid unnecessary mistakes.

  1. Act swiftly. Once you notice there’s a stain or you’ve made an error in the pattern, abandon the mission and act fast. The longer the dye sits, the more difficult removing it will be.

  2. If you want to use the washing out method, read the cloth’s care labels to help you determine the best washing temperature and method.

  1. Always spot-test your stain remover solution on a different area to know its effectiveness before using it on the entire fabric.

  2. Never tumble-dry stained clothes before the treatment process because the high heat can set the stain.

  3. Ensure you’re in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling the chemicals you use.

  4. Always use masks and gloves for safety

How to Remove Tie Dye From Clothes

You can remove tie-dye from clothes using different approaches including cleaning with rubbing alcohol, washing out dye, and using bleach. Nevertheless, how to get dye out of white clothes is different from colored clothes. Treating white clothes is simple but it’s challenging to remove dye on colored clothes.

Method 1: Washing Out Dye with Color Run Remover

This method is widely used and the most preferred. It is simple and requires less effort.

Necessary items for the procedure:

Water

Color run remover

Bucket

Normal detergent

Tongs (optional)

Step 1: Fill Your Bucket with Hot Water

Ensure that you get the right amount of water, proportionate to the number of clothes you want to work on.

This picture shows step 1 for washing out dye with color run remover.

Heat the water with your pot on the stove to the ideal temperature for the fabric and transfer it to the bucket.

This picture shows step 2 for washing out dye with color run remover.

Step 2: Introduce the Color Run Remover

Pour the color run remover, available in many outlets, into the bucket of hot water and let it dissolve . Follow the proportions indicated on the back of the color remover packaging b ecause amounts vary brand.

This picture shows step 3 for washing out dye with color run remover.

Step 3: Soak the Clothes Until the Tie-Dye Bleeds Off

Put the clothes inside the bucket until fully submerged

This picture shows step 4 for washing out dye with color run remover.

Stir the water occasionally to evenly distribute the access of the dye-removing solution. Check for the coming off of other colors for clothes with other colors. If you notice such a reaction, remove them immediately.

This picture shows step 5 for washing out dye with color run remover.

Step 4: Rinse the Clothes

Remove clothes from the bucket, and transfer them to another bucket.

This picture shows step 6 for washing out dye with color run remover.

Rinse the clothes with warm water to terminate the process by the dye-removing solution

This picture shows step 7 for washing out dye with color run remover.

Step 5: Repeat Steps for Stubborn Stains

If some stains persist, repeat the treatment procedure until you achieve favorable results .

This picture shows step 8 for washing out dye with color run remover.

Step 6: Wash Normally

Once satisfied with your results, you can wash the clothes using your typical routine in a washing machine with normal detergent.

Method 2: Cleaning with Rubbing Alcohol

This is a tedious process that requires attention to detail.

Necessary items for the procedure:

Rubbing alcohol

Cotton wool

Detergent

Toothbrush

Step 1: Gently Rub the Alcohol onto the Dye Stain

Lightly wet the cotton wool with rubbing alcohol and dab it onto the stain.

This picture shows step 1 for cleaning with rubbing alcohol.

The dye will spread to the moistened cotton wool and do this several times to reduce the severity of the stain .

Step 2: Cover the Spot with Detergent

Once you have a good starting spot, cover the stain with a thin layer of normal laundry detergent .

This picture shows step 2 for cleaning with rubbing alcohol.

Step 3: Scrub it Out

Using an old recycled toothbrush , gently scrub the stain. Don’t use force as it might damage the fabric and if that’s the case. You can finish it off with your fingers to make the process less aggressive on the fabric.

This picture shows step 3 for cleaning with rubbing alcohol.

Step 4: Rinse it Off

Rinse the cloth in warm water to get rid of the rubbing alcohol and laundry detergent. This step also allows you to see the real progress .

This picture shows step 4 for cleaning with rubbing alcohol.

Step 5: Wash as Usual

Finish off the process by washing the cloth in your washing machine, in your typical fashion. 

Method 3: Using Bleach

This procedure requires accurate measurements to get it right. Also, be cautious as bleach is strong and toxic.

Necessary items for the procedure

Bleach

Warm water

Baking soda

Step 1: Make Bleach Solution

Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl.

This picture shows step 1 for cleaning with bleach.

Add 4 tablespoons of bleach solution to trigger a chemical reaction.

This picture shows step 2 for cleaning with bleach.

Add water to dilute the concentration and increase the amount of bleach solution.

This picture shows step 3 for cleaning with bleach.

Chlorine bleach is best for white cotton clothes and you can use all-fabric or oxygen bleach for other fabrics .

This picture shows step 4 for cleaning with bleach.

Step 2: Soak the Clothes in the Solution

Dip the clothes in the solution for about 5 minutes . Bleach is not forgiving to clothes, so don’t let them stay for long . If you’re using all-fabric bleach, you might want to leave it for 45 minutes as it doesn’t quickly wear out clothes.

This picture shows step 5 for cleaning with bleach.

Step 3: Rinse

Rinse the clothes using cold water for delicate fabrics and warm water for other clothes . Do this process thoroughly to eliminate any traces of bleach .

This picture shows step 6 for cleaning with bleach.

Step 4: Typical Laundry

Wash the clothes in your usual routine and check for results. If the dye is removed, well and good. If stains are still present, repeat the process

FAQs

Will Removing Tie Dye Alter the Fabric’s Texture or Quality?

Whether removing tie dye will or won’t affect the texture and quality of cloth, depends on the approach used and the fabric .

Can You Restore Clothes with Tie Dye to Their Original State?

Restoring clothes to their original state is a challenging course because when fabric absorbs dye, it is less likely to replicate its pre-dye color .

Is It Possible to Completely Remove Tie Dye from Clothes?

Eliminating tie-dye from clothes is an impossible pursuit, especially if it has deeply penetrated the fabric fibers.

What to Know When Tie Dye Stains Can’t Be Fully Removed?

If tie-dye is proving to be stubborn to fully vacate from cloth, the stain is probably permanent and it’s best to avoid overusing harsh chemicals that might increase the risk of fabric damage.

What are the Alternative Options When You Can't Remove Tie Dye?

If you can’t remove tie dye, you can breathe new life into your clothes by dyeing over the tie-dye, repurposing the fabric, creating a new tie-dye pattern, adding decorative patches, or embracing the vintage look. 

Wrapping Up

Although tie-dye is stubborn, there are ways to remove such stains. Consider the type and condition of your fabric as it will affect the dye-removal method you’d choose. Pre-treatment is key to allowing the solutions to sit in and weaken the dye bonds, ultimately removing a chunk or the entire stain.

Practice proper post-care as it plays a key role in how the fabric retains its color, integrity, and overall appearance. Safety practices are vital to avoid exposure to the chemicals or emitted fumes that bear a bad health report.