Figuring out how to wash tie-dye is its own special kind of laundry puzzle: Keep the colors popping, avoid accidental dye disasters, and still get everything clean. Handling tie-dye on laundry day doesn’t require a degree in textile science. But it does require a little attention to detail, especially the first time you put them through the wash.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to wash new tie-dye pieces without turning your washer into a rainbow blender, plus how to care for your tie-dye clothes long-term.
How to Wash Newly Tie-Dyed Clothes
Freshly dyed clothes need a little breathing room. If you toss them in the wash like any old laundry, the colors can bleed, fade, or just straight-up ghost. Here’s how to keep that from happening.
1. Rinse in Cold Water
Before your new tie-dye even thinks about touching the washing machine, rinse it in cold water. Rinse it thoroughly until the water runs clear. This step helps remove excess dye sitting on the surface of the fabric and reduces the risk of color transfer later.
You’ll be surprised how much dye comes out during this rinse. It’s normal. It’s also the reason you don’t want this thing anywhere near your white clothes just yet.
2. Machine Wash Solo (With Other Tie-Dyes Only)
Your first wash should be a solo mission. Wash your tie-dye items alone, or with other equally colorful clothes you wouldn’t cry over if things got messy.
Use cold water to lock in the vibrancy, and select the gentle cycle. Tie-dye might look wild, but it prefers a chill spin. Toss in one of our Laundry Sauce pods, which packs all the clean you need without any unnecessary dyes.
3. Add Vinegar or Salt (Optional)
Some people swear by adding a cup of white vinegar or a handful of salt to the wash to help set the dye. Does it work? Debatable. But it won’t hurt, and it might give your colors a little extra staying power.
4. Hang to Air Dry
A hot dryer is where bright colors go to die. Heat can break down dye bonds and fade your hard work faster than you can say “what happened to the green?”
Hang your tie-dye to dry, outside in the shade if possible. Sunlight can also fade colors, so don’t leave it baking on the line all afternoon. If you’re in a pinch, low tumble on delicate is fine. But air drying? That’s the real MVP.
How to Care for Tie-Dye Clothes
Once your tie-dye piece has survived its first wash, you can ease into a regular-ish routine. But “regular” doesn’t mean “careless.” Tie-dye still needs a little extra love if you want those colors to keep popping.
1. Turn the Garment Inside Out
Washing inside out helps protect the outer surface of the fabric, reducing friction and fading. Basically, it lets your tie-dye chill out while it’s being cleaned.
2. Machine Wash with Cold Water
Cold water is your color-preserving best friend. Hot water will fade your vibrant swirls into a muddy mess over time. Keep it cool. Keep it crisp.
3. Wash With Similar Colors
Tie-dye is a team player, but only when paired with other bolds. Don’t throw it in with your whites or your beiges unless you’re going for “accidental pastel.” Stick to similar hues and saturation levels.
Think: your other tie-dyes, black tees, or dark wash jeans.
4. Use Gentle Laundry Detergent Pods
Harsh detergents can strip color and wear out fabric faster than you think. That’s why our laundry pods are pre-measured, highly concentrated, and free from unnecessary dyes. They’re tough on stains but chill on your clothes, like a detergent that meditates.
Plus, the fragrance is the main event. Think Australian Sandalwood and Mojave Peach, not “lemon-musk-that’s-seen-some-things.”
5. Air Dry When Possible
Line drying keeps your tie-dye looking rich, fresh, and full of life. If you have to use the dryer, go low and slow (and toss in a few dryer sheets to keep your clothes static-free and smelling seductive).
Dye Belongs In Your Clothes, Not Your Laundry Pods
Tie-dye? Bright, bold, beautiful. Your laundry pods? They don’t need to match.
At Laundry Sauce, we don’t dye our pods in electric blue or toxic lime to prove a point. We let our signature scents do the talking. Whether you want to channel the vibe of the Amalfi Coast with Italian Bergamot or the romance of a Paris night with French Saffron, we bring quiet luxury to the laundry room.
