If you’ve been curious about trying an ice dye kit but feel overwhelmed by soda ash soaks, dye powders, and setup logistics, you’re not alone. Ice dye can look intimidating to beginners, which is why I wanted to take a closer look at the new Dharma Ice & Easy ice dye kit and test it from start to finish.
(This post is in no way sponsored. I bought them with my own money to give you my honest review!)
This post walks through what’s included in the kit, how it works, the actual results I got on real projects, and whether this ice dye kit is worth buying (especially if you’re new to ice dye). If you’re brand new to the process, you may also want to start with my full step-by-step guide to ice dyeing a shirt.
Prefer video? You can watch the full unboxing and demo below.
What Is an Ice Dye Kit?
An ice dye kit is designed to simplify the ice dye process by bundling the most essential supplies together. Instead of sourcing dye, soda ash, gloves, and instructions separately, everything you need comes in one box.
Traditional ice dye typically requires soaking fabric in soda ash ahead of time, then applying ice and dye powder separately. If you’ve ever struggled with inconsistent results or muddy colors, I break down common issues in my post on tie dye mistakes to avoid.
What Comes in the Dharma Ice & Easy Ice Dye Kit
Inside the Dharma Ice & Easy kit, you’ll find:
- Two ice-dye-specific colors (formulated to work with ice)
- Peacock comes with Alchemist and Kaleidoscope Eyes
- Dragon Fire comes with Phoenix Flame and Dragon Heart
- Dye is already mixed with soda ash
- Sprinkle-style bottles for easy application
- Rubber bands
- High-quality disposable gloves
- Simple printed instructions and fold ideas
If you enjoy experimenting with folds beyond the basics, I also have a free printable with 12 tie dye fold ideas that works great with ice dye projects.
How This Ice Dye Kit Works (No Soda Ash Soak Required)
The biggest difference with this ice dye kit is that the soda ash is already mixed into the dye powder. That means you can skip the traditional soda ash soak entirely.
In traditional methods, prepping fabric correctly plays a huge role in saturation and color splits. If you’re curious how prep impacts results, I explain it in detail in my guide on how to prep fabric for tie dye.
Ice Dye Kit Results: What Actually Happened
I tested this ice dye kit on two projects using different folds, including a pleat fold and a simple spiral. I intentionally followed the kit instructions closely so I could evaluate how it performs as intended.
Compared to traditional ice dye techniques like a tall deep scrunch or gravity setup, the results were lighter and more surface-level. You can see how different setups affect dye movement in my gravity tie dye hoodie experiment.
- More white space than traditional ice dye
- Lighter dye penetration
- Subtle color splits
- Very easy rinse-out process
Pros and Cons of This Ice Dye Kit
Pros:
- No soda ash soak required
- Beginner-friendly setup
- Affordable price point
- Everything included
Cons:
- Color kind of just sits where you place it. It doesn’t really flow.
- More white space unless dye is applied generously
- Limited colors compared to mixing your own
Is This Ice Dye Kit Worth It?
If you’re new to ice dye and want an easy entry point, this ice dye kit is absolutely worth trying. If you already love deep saturation or dramatic splits, you may prefer traditional ice dye. You don’t have to get a ton of dye either, here is a post where I shared one color project ideas.
Who This Ice Dye Kit Is Best For
This ice dye kit is best for:
- Beginners learning ice dye
- Crafters who want minimal prep
- Quick projects or gifts (below you can see a project I did using the two kits to make towels in bulk! 16 at once!)
If you’re ready to explore more techniques, check out my complete ice dye tutorial or browse all of my tie dye experiments on the blog.
I have a free ebook for ya that will give you lots of ideas for how to use this kit if you’d like some more options!
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