Learn how to ice dye with our easy-to-follow guide, including essential techniques and tips for creating stunning, one-of-a-kind fabric designs with ice tie-dyeing!
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Resting Time 1 dayday
Ingredients
Natural-Fiber Fabric (cotton, rayon, linen, etc.)
Fiber-Reactive Dye Powder
Soda Ash
Ice
Plastic Tub
Wire Rack
Plastic Wrap and/or Plastic Bags
Gloves and Mask
Rubber Bands and/or Waxed Sinew , optional
Instructions
Begin by washing your fabric in warm water to remove any impurities, sizing, or fabric softeners from the manufacturing process that could interfere with the dyeing process.
Mix a cup of soda ash with a gallon of water. Soak your fabric in this solution for at least 15 minutes to help the reactive dye bond with the fibers. Wring out the fabric tightly by hand before moving on to the next step.
Bind the fabric, if desired: Twist or fold the damp fabric into your desired pattern fold and secure it with rubber bands or waxed sinew. This will create different patterns and resist areas similar to the folds in traditional tie-dye. You may also choose to “crumple fold” or gently scrunch up the fabric during the next step instead.
Place the wire rack in the bottom of the plastic tub (if desired, you can elevate the rack even further by placing wood blocks at each corner), then set your prepared fabric on top of the rack.
Pile the ice cubes on top of the fabric, making sure to completely cover the entire thing with ice.
Sprinkle a small amount of powdered dye over the ice. Feel free to experiment with different colors, color combinations, and the amount of dye. More dye will result in more complete coverage and intense colors; less dye can result in more subtle shades and less coverage.
Loosely cover the top of the bin with plastic wrap and let it sit until the ice has completely melted. This could take several hours or a full day, depending on the temperature. Once the ice has melted, place the fabric into a plastic bag, and allow it to sit in a warm location for 24-48 hours.
Unfold your fabric and admire the unique, intricate patterns you’ve created!
Rinse the fabric in cold water (until the water runs clear) to remove excess dye. Then, wash it in the washing machine with a mild professional textile detergent to get rid of any remaining dye.