This tutorial will walk you through the ins and outs of how to tie dye bath towels. Whether new or used and dingy, let’s make them art.
A lot can go wrong when you try to dye something as dense as bath towels. I made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. You’ll walk away from this tutorial with all the skills needed to make your bath towels art.
This tutorial will use some other dyeing methods I’ve posted about that you may be interested such as ice dyeing, or if you have black towels, how to reverse tie dye with ice!
Dyeing bath towels is a fantastic way to infuse a pop of color or refresh your bathroom decor. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through the process of dyeing bath towels, helping you create customized, vibrant additions to your bathroom.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Bath Towels: Opt for 100% cotton towels for the best dye absorption and quality results. Ensure they are clean and free from fabric softener residue. I also suggest having dried them in a dryer. This removes extra lint that will prevent maximum color absorption.
- Fabric Dye: Choose a high-quality fabric dye designed for cotton fabrics. I compared the top tie-dye brands here so you can see the pros and cons of each.
- Large Plastic Container: Find a plastic container that comfortably accommodates the towels you intend to dye without crowding them. I used my sink, but if you’re doing it outside with a hose then finding a large container is best.
- Ice: In this tutorial, I show you how to do the ice dye method. So you will utilize ice.
- Gloves: Protect your hands with rubber or disposable gloves to prevent dye stains.
- Protective Covering: Lay down a plastic tablecloth or garbage bag to shield your work surface from spills or splatters. I dyed mine in the sink so I didn’t have to do this.
- Soda ash (optional): Depending on the dye, you might need soda ash as a fixative. Some brands need salt. My favorite brand (Dharma) and what you see in this tutorial will need soda ash. Check the dye’s instructions for guidance.
Instructions to Tie Dye Bath Towels:
1. Prep Your Workspace: Before you embark on your towel dyeing adventure, set up a dedicated workspace. Cover your work area with a plastic tablecloth or garbage bags to avoid accidental staining. I did mine in the sink so luckily this wasn’t necessary for me!
2. Tie or arrange the towels: You can tie the towels or if you’d like the same effect as mine, just scrunch them up tight. I call this ‘fold’ the galaxy fold. If you’re looking for ways to tie the towels, check out the book I created about all the different ways to tie off your tie-dye.
3. Wet the Towels: Thoroughly wet your bath towels with warm water. You’ll want them damp but not dripping wet. This step ensures that the dye penetrates evenly.
4. Apply the soda ash, dye, and ice: Sprinkle the dye mixed with soda ash (if using Dharma) on the fabric and then cover it in ice. You will see in my video I did it where I applied ice first and then the dye. The results are the same!
5. Allow your ice to melt: Let your ice melt and then leave it on the fabric for 24 hours to ensure dye is fully set.
6. Rinse: Once you achieve your desired hue, remove the towels from the dye bath and rinse them under cold water until the water runs clear. Then turn the heat up and rinse with hot water. This step helps eliminate excess dye and locks in the color.
7. Wash and Dry: Wash the dyed towels separately in a washing machine using cold water and a mild detergent. This further sets the color. You can tumble dry the towels on low heat or line-dry them.
How to Tie Dye Bath Towels
This tutorial will walk you through the ins and outs of how to tie dye bath towels. Whether new or used and dingy, let's make them art.
Materials
- Bath Towels: Opt for 100% cotton towels for the best dye absorption and quality results. Ensure they are clean and free from fabric softener residue. I also suggest having dried them in a dryer. This removes extra lint that will prevent maximum color absorption.
- Fabric Dye: Choose a high-quality fabric dye designed for cotton fabrics. I compared the top tie dye brands here so you can see the pros and cons of each.
- Ice: In this tutorial, I show you how to do the ice dye method. So you will utilize ice.
- Soda ash (optional): Depending on the dye, you might need soda ash as a fixative. Some brands need salt. My favorite brand (Dharma) and what you see in this tutorial will need soda ash. Check the dye's instructions for guidance.
Tools
- Large Plastic Container: Find a plastic container that comfortably accommodates the towels you intend to dye without crowding them. I used my sink, but if you're doing it outside with a hose then finding a large container is best.
- Gloves: Protect your hands with rubber or disposable gloves to prevent dye stains.
- Protective Covering: Lay down a plastic tablecloth or garbage bag to shield your work surface from spills or splatters.
Instructions
- Prep Your Workspace: Before you embark on your towel dyeing adventure, set up a dedicated workspace. Cover your work area with plastic tablecloths or garbage bags to avoid accidental staining. I did mine in the sink so luckily this wasn't necessary for me!
- Tie or arrange the towels: You can tie the towels or if you'd like the same effect as mine, just scrunch them up tight. I call this 'fold the galaxy fold. If you're looking for ways to tie the towels, check out the book I created about all the different ways to tie off your tie-dye.
- Wet the Towels: Thoroughly wet your bath towels with warm water. You'll want them damp but not dripping wet. This step ensures that the dye penetrates evenly.
- Apply the dye and ice: Sprinkle the dye mixed with soda ash(if using Dharma) on the fabric and then cover it in ice. You will see in my video I did it where I applied ice first and then the dye. The results are the same!
- Allow your ice to melt: Let your ice melt and then leave it on the fabric for 24 hours to ensure the dye is fully set.
- Rinse: Once you achieve your desired hue, remove the towels from the dye bath and rinse them under cold water until the water runs clear. Then turn the heat up and rinse with hot water. This step helps eliminate excess dye and locks in the color.
- Wash and Dry: Wash the dyed towels separately in a washing machine using cold water and a mild detergent. This further sets the color. You can tumble dry the towels on low heat or line-dry them.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Pro Tips:
- Test a small swatch of fabric before dyeing the entire towel to ensure you achieve your desired color.
- Experiment with various dyeing techniques, such as tie-dye or ombre, for unique towel designs.
- Always follow the dye manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
Dyeing bath towels is a creative and cost-effective way to revamp your bathroom decor or add a personal touch to your space. With just a bit of effort and some quality fabric dye, you can transform your towels into vibrant, customized accessories that enhance your bathroom’s aesthetic.
