Soda Ash
When tie-dying, soda ash is used to help adhere the dye onto the fabric. Soda ash lessens the chances of the dye fading once it is set. It is suggested to use soda ash when tie-dying to have brighter colors. Sometimes referred to as washing soda, do not get it confused with baking soda as baking soda will dilute the color of the dye. You can find soda ash at JOANN Fabrics, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and other stores that sell craft supplies.
If you don’t have access to soda ash
You can use salt, while it won’t be as strong, it is the same idea. And you could always dampen the shirt with water if you have to. The dampening of the shirt catches more dye than when it isn’t dampened. Perhaps you have tried tie dying and the dye just rolls off? A damp shirt will help keep the dye, while soda ash is important, not all of is have access to it. I personally dampen my shirts with water and they turn out fine.
Cooling rack
Using a cooling rack to let the excess dye drip off is a great way to prevent the color from looking muddy. The cooling rack, which should be elevated either over a bowl, bucket, or a sink so the dye has somewhere to go. When you tie-dye on grass or a trash nag if you’re inside, you might notice that the dye pools up under the shirt and then you are in a frenzy to move your fabric. The cooling rack method will be able to save your art and your floor (if you are inside of course.)
Brighter Color
If you want brighter color I would first suggest using soda ash to lock in the color. However, I have been tie-dying for years and get vivid colors by letting the shirts sit in sealed bags in the sun for several days. I have found that this works best for me, but if you have bad weather or live somewhere where it isn’t often sunny, you can simply let them sit for several days. The longer you let the dye sit, the brighter the colors should be, and if they aren’t you can refer to the FAQ page to see where it went wrong.
Using Vinegar to achieve brighter color
Fill a bucket halfway with white vinegar then add enough cool water to fill the bucket the remainder of the way, leaving just a few inches of space at the top. After you tie-dye you fabric, place it in said bucket. Allow the fabric to soak for around 30 minutes so the vinegar can help set the dye.
No rubber bands
No rubber bands? No problem! If you have started the process and realized you don’t have any rubber bands laying around you can always use yarn and tie it tight. Using yarn is the same idea as using rubber bands, it is still holding the shirt or fabric together. But while I am on the topic, use scissors to cut the string off when you are taking it apart, it will make it easier and quicker. You can also use scissors to take apart the rubber bands to minimize the amount of dye you get on your hands.
Buy the dye from the craft store
Buy the individual powdered dye from the craft store, not the box. While mixing the dye is a learn as you go experience, there are plenty of videos on youtube that you can learn from and steer you in the right direction. Using the dye from the craft store will be cheaper because it will last longer and you don’t need to use that much for each bottle, but you will need to have salt on hand because that is the other component when mixing dye (along with warm water.)
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