Never Too Old For Tie-Dye: Learn How to Do It Yourself in 4 Easy Steps
Illustrations by Karen Kurycki
You're never too old for tie-dye. And now it's back, brighter and bolder than ever. Learn how to do it yourself in 4 easy steps.
Step 1: Gather your supplies. You can buy each item separately or in a complete kit from Amazon, Michaels or Etsy. It’s best to use white garments (anything from T-shirts to socks) that are either 100 percent cotton or a 50-50 cotton/polyester blend. Dye rolls off polyester.
Step 2: Prewash items in hot water before starting the process. Wrap them (together or individually) in rubber bands to create patterns. Then start dyeing. Colors placed next to one another will bleed together. Pink next to blue will make purple, which can be appealing.
Step 3: Once dyeing is finished, place the wet garments in a zip-style bag for 8 to 24 hours. The longer the dye sets, the more intense the color will be. Rinse the items under warm water until it runs clear. Put items through the washer, using hot water and a small amount of detergent, then load them into the dryer.
Step 4: You may want to wash the tie-dyed items separately for the first few washes until you’re sure the color is set. Consider running the washing machine empty after you’ve completed your tie-dye project. Tie-dye can be messy, but that’s part of the fun. Be sure to cover your workspace with a tarp or garbage bags—and wear old clothes.
We hope this activity brings you joy and a little creative me-time. And be sure and check out the Relax & Radiate Crate subscription box filled with a thoughtfully curated mix of products to help you radiate your best self all year round.
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This article originally appeared in Relax & Radiate Crate's mini magazine, The Girlfriend From AARP mini magazine (Volume 2, Fall 2021).