How to Tie Dye Shorts

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 3, 2021 References Tested

Tie dyeing never seems to go out of style, and trendsetters are always coming up with new ways to rock it! Tie dye shorts are a unique way to incorporate a bit of 60’s flair into your wardrobe, and it is easy to create a pair yourself. Buy a pair of new or used white shorts to tie dye, choose your colors, and use the tie dye style that you like best!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Designing Your Tie Dye Shorts

1
Get a pair of white shorts that you are comfortable tie dyeing. You can use a pair of shorts you already own, or go out and buy a pair to tie dye! Check second hand stores and discount clothing stores for a low-cost pair of shorts. If you cannot find white shorts, get the lightest color denim shorts you can find, such as powder blue, cream, or light pink.
- You can also bleach a pair or dark denim shorts to tie dye. Just pour enough bleach over the shorts to saturate them. Do this while they are in a sink or bathtub, and then rinse the bleach out after they have lightened to the desired color.^{[1]
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  Research source} Make sure to wear gloves when you do this.
2
Choose 2 or more tie dye colors. You can choose complimentary or contrasting colors, but you will need at least 2 colors to get a tie dye effect. Tie dye colors are available at craft stores and big box stores. Some color combinations you might try include:
- A bright color paired with black, such as teal and black, or pink and black, or yellow and black.
- Rainbow colors, such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
- Pastel colors, such as light pink, lavender, and powder blue.
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3
Lay the shorts flat for a layered tie dye effect. You can get a subtle tie dye effect without any special twisting or crumpling techniques. Just lay the shorts out on a flat surface and decide where and how you want to tie dye them.^{[2]
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- For example, you could dye the 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) area around the waistband 1 color, then dye the next 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) section a different color, and so on to the bottom of the shorts.
4
Crumple the shorts for bursts of color all over. You can crumple up the shorts like a piece of paper and then place rubber bands all over to secure them. The rubber bands should criss cross each other to create small 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) sections all over the fabric. These sections will be your guides when you apply the tie dye.^{[3]
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5
Twist the shorts for a spiral tie dye effect. Choose a center point on the shorts and start twisting the shorts from that point. Then, place a rubber band about every 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) to secure the twisted shorts and create neat sections for you to tie dye.
- For example, you could grasp the shorts on the top corner where the waistband will fall on your hip and start twisting from there.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Applying the Tie Dye

1
Wash and dry the shorts to get the best dye coverage. It is best to start with clean shorts, so run the shorts through your washer and dryer as you normally would.
- Make sure there are no other clothes in the washer if you have just bleached the shorts or the bleach will damage your other clothing.
2
Place the shorts on a garbage bag to protect your surfaces. Tie dye can stain fabric, carpet, and other types of surfaces if it gets onto it, so make sure to protect your work area. Place a garbage bag over the area where you will be working before you start. Then, place your shorts and all of your materials onto the work surface.^{[4]
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- Tie dye can also stain your skin and clothes if it gets onto it. Make sure to protect your hands with a pair of plastic, vinyl, or latex gloves before you begin.
- You should also put on an old t-shirt and pants to ensure that you do not accidentally stain some of your favorite clothes. If you have a dark colored apron, then you can wear it over your clothing while you tie dye.
3
Soak the shorts in soda ash and water mixture for 20 minutes if desired. To get the brightest possible colors, you can start by soaking your shorts in a mixture of soda ash and water. Place the shorts into the soda ash and water mixture and let them soak for 20 minutes. Then, remove them from the solution and wring them out with your hands, but don’t rinse them.^{[5]
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- Soda ash is often included in tie dye kits, but if it isn’t included, then you can also buy it separately. However, keep in mind that this is optional.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing the soda ash and water.
4
Mix the dye according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Each tie dye bottle should only require that you add water and shake it well to prepare the dye, but read and follow the instructions that came with your tie dye kit.^{[6]
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- Make sure to screw the lid onto the bottle well and cover the tip of the bottle with your gloved finger before you shake it.
5
Squirt the tie dye onto the shorts in even layers for a gradient effect. If you are doing a layered tie dye, then go from the top to the bottom of your shorts and apply an equal amount of each color dye to each section. You can start with the darkest colors and then apply the lighter ones, or vice versa.^{[7]
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- If you are using more than 2 colors, make sure to apply the other dyes in equal amounts to other equal-sized sections.
6
Apply dye between rubber bands for a burst tie dye effect. If you are doing a burst-effect tie dye using crumpled shorts secured with rubber bands, then apply the dye in specific spots throughout the fabric. Use the rubber bands as your guides and fill each fabric section surrounded by the rubber bands with a different color dye. Leave some empty spots around each area where you apply the dye, and then use the next color(s) to fill in these areas.^{[8]
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- If you are using a few colors, make sure to leave enough spaces blank to do an equal number of sections for each color.
7
Dye sections in succession if you are doing twist tie dye. If you are doing a twist tie dye job, then apply the first dye to the first section. Then, count the number of spaces equal to the amount of dyes you are using to find where to apply this dye color next. Apply the dye and keep doing this until there are no more sections. Then, repeat the same process with the next color of dye starting at the second section.
- For example, if you are dying with 3 colors, then apply the first dye to the first section, and then count to the next space 3 sections from that 1. Apply each color of dye to the sections in this way.
8
Turn the shorts over and squirt the same dye colors onto the sections. No matter which type of tie dye effect you want to create, it is important to make sure both sides are dyed the same way. If you put different color dyes on the same section, they will mix together and change into a different color. Turn the shorts over after you finish applying the dye on the first side and then apply it exactly the same way on the other side.^{[9]
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- Keep in mind that some color mixing is inevitable. You just want to avoid too much mixing to ensure that you get a vibrant multicolor effect.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Rinsing and Drying Your Shorts

1
Let the shorts rest for 6 to 8 hours. It will take a while for the dye to saturate the fabric and bind with the fibers of your shorts, so plan to leave them alone for at least 6 hours or even overnight.^{[10]
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Research source} Make sure to place the shorts somewhere that they will be out of the way, such as in your bathtub or in a seldom used room.
- Keep the trashbag under the shorts or place them into a Ziploc bag to protect your surfaces from the dye.
- Keep the shorts out of the reach of children and pets.
2
Remove the rubber bands. After the resting time is up, put on a fresh pair of gloves to protect your skin and take the rubber bands off of the shorts. Be careful not to slop the dye onto any of your surfaces as you do this. Take off the rubber bands over a trashbag, a bathtub, sink, or outside.
3
Rinse the dye off the shorts. Rinse the shorts under lukewarm running water until the water runs clear. This will get the majority of the dye out so that it will not stain the other areas of the shorts when you wash them.^{[11]
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- Make sure that you keep the gloves on while you rinse the shorts to protect your skin from the dye.
4
Wash and dry the shorts separate from your other clothing. There will still be some dye left on the shorts after you rinse them, so running them through the washer is essential. Use a mild detergent and wash the shorts on the warm or cool setting, depending on what the fabric requires. Then, put the shorts into the dryer until they are completely dry.^{[12]
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- Check the tag if you are not sure what temperature to wash the shorts on.
- After your shorts are clean and dry, they are ready to wear!