Choose clothes made from protein fibers for long-lasting colors. Depending on your project, use clothing made of wool, cashmere, or silk for the longest-lasting results. These fibers are made from animals, and food coloring stays in them better than other sorts of fibers, like cotton, linen, and some synthetic fibers.^[7]

Use cotton fabric for a lighter-colored option that may fade over time. Cotton clothes can be dyed with food coloring, but the color won’t be as vibrant and will fade out more quickly. If you want a lighter color anyways, though, cotton is a great way to go.^[8]

Protect your workstation by laying out several old towels. Before you begin dyeing anything, lay out some towels or sheets that you don’t mind getting discolored. There are ways to remove stains from food coloring accidents, but it’s easier if you can avoid them altogether.^[9]

Mix 1 cup (240 mL) of water in a water bottle with 6-8 drops of dye. Use a plastic bottle for each color you want to incorporate, and fill each one with the 1 cup (240 mL) of water and at least 6 drops of food coloring—you can add more, though, if you want a darker shade. Replace the caps, shake the bottles, and set them to the side so they’re ready to use later.^[10]

Soak your fabric in a 1:1 mixture of water to vinegar for 30 minutes. Put your clothes into the bowl and add enough water and white vinegar to fully saturate them. Depending on what size your bowl or container is, you may need anywhere from 16 ounces (450 g) to 32 ounces (910 g) each of water and white vinegar.^[11]

Twist rubber bands around the fabric to create different patterns. After the 30-minute soak, wring out the clothes and prepare them for tie-dyeing. Use rubber bands to wrap them in different places, or try some of these fun designs:^[12]

Squeeze the dyes onto the different sections of your clothes. In general, using a single color in a section and then switching to a new color for the next section will create a comprehensive looking shirt. But don’t be afraid to experiment and try mixing colors or doing multiple dyes in one section!

• You may want to wear gloves during this part, as the dye will stain your hands.
• Don’t forget to dye each side of the clothes.
• For easier application, try putting your rubber-banded clothes on a baking tray to keep the dye from getting everywhere.

Place your clothes into a resealable plastic bag for at least 8 hours. Once you’ve applied the dye, place each item into a plastic bag and let them sit somewhere out of the way for a minimum of 8 hours.^[13]

Submerge the fabric into a bowl filled with cold water and table salt. After the 8+ hours have passed, take your clothes out of the resealable plastic bags. Fill a bowl with cold water and add 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 grams) of table salt to the water. Put your clothes into the water and hold them down until they’re completely submerged. Let them stay in there for about 5 minutes.^[14]

Use a microwave to produce more vibrant colors. The heat from the microwave reacts with the dye to make it a little brighter, and it also helps the dye set into the fabric, too. Simply place your bowl of water, salt, and the fabric into the microwave and cover it with plastic wrap. Poke a few holes into the plastic wrap, and microwave the bowl on low for about 2 minutes.^[15]

Bake your clothes in a mixture of water and citric acid to set the dye. Fill a shallow baking pan halfway with water and add in ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of citric acid. Stir until the citric acid has dissolved, then submerge your clothes in the pan. Set your oven for 300 °F (149 °C) and bake the clothes for 30 minutes. Let the water and fabric completely cool before you touch it with your bare hands.^[16]

Rinse out the item under cool water until the water runs clear. Regardless of which setting option you used, always rinse your dyed clothes under cool water. The water may be very lightly tinted at first, but before long it should run clear, letting you know that the dye has set into the fabric and won’t bleed out.^[17]

Hang the clothes to dry rather than putting them in the dryer. The heat from the dryer could fade the dye on the first drying go-around. So instead, hang them out somewhere and let them air dry.^[18]

Clean your clothes separately from other items for the first 2-3 washes. Although the setting process should keep your clothes from bleeding, there is always the off-chance that they might. Wash them separately from other loads to ensure the dye won’t contaminate anything else.^[19]

Wash your dyed items with cold water to prevent them from bleeding. Even after those first 2-3 washes, use cold water to prevent any potential bleeding and also to give the color more longevity. Throw your dyed clothing into the wash with other items that need cold water and you should be good to go!^[20]