How to use Rit dye to Tie Dye

Rit dye works really well for tie dye. In this tutorial I will show you how to use it as well as some tips and tricks for success (including using the microwave to speed up the process). The nice thing about Rit dye is that it is easy to find, it has a a ton of different colors, and it can be used to dye a variety of fabrics, not just 100% cotton. I will list the steps below, as well as supplies that I used. Enjoy! I would love to see your work, tag it on Instagram using # mrotterstudio or # mrotterstudiotiedye
Supplies
Rit dye
White Shirts/sheets/socks/etc
Rubber bands
Squirt Bottle
Rubber Gloves
Cookie Drying Rack
Plastic wrap
Steps
Mix Dye (3/4 cup hot water with 1/4 cup dye, or 200 ml water with 50 ml dye)
Get fabric wet, then ring it out so it is damp
Swirl fabric (or use the bullseye method) and secure with rubber bands
Add dye with squirt bottle (add it to both sides)
5. Wrap fabric in plastic wrap
6. Let it sit for 30 minutes then microwave for 2 minutes (or let it sit overnight)
7. Rinse all the dye out till water runs clear then wash in the washer machine (keep elastics on till the water runs clear, then remove them and wash it again till water runs clear)
This is not a sponsored video
This video was made by McCall for Mr Otter Studio

[@wessmith2761]

I wasn’t sure what to think when I saw this, I figured I tried enough ideas but I tried this with the microwave and it actually worked.

[@genericjesus8803]

GREAT informative video. Tie dying is an ever evolving art-form, we live an learn even from other peoples projects. There are projects that don’t go so well BUT there are projects that lead to happy accidents in every realm of life. WE LEARN TOGETHER which makes us ALL better. I’ve watched countless videos and the 2 things that always come to mind are “oh, ok, don’t do this...” OR “what if I tried this..”. THANKS for sharing, sharing leads to progress in EVERY FACET of life

[@1Corinthians2.2]

Thanks for the tips. The method on the bottle is so complicated, who wants to do all that? I followed their squeeze bottle with microwave instructions (from a video on here), and my project turned out really nice. The color on the bottle is the color you actually get on the shirt, even after rinsing, washing and drying it. I also used the dye fixative, which may have helped with the color staying in.

[@janetsnitzer7090]

I believe that all the way!!

[@jumo3460]

Thanks for the tips! Haven't found any other videos that go into so much detail to compare different methods and common mistakes :) Excited to get some dye and try it out soon!!

[@lizpardini7947]

I cannot believe that this is the first time I have found you on YT! I have been abusing my art supplies for weeks attempting to draw and paint. I put my various supplies aside to make a couple of 4th of July themed tie dye shirts and that’s how I came across your channel! Your tie dying tips are by far THE BEST ONLINE! Quick, clear, to the point, zero obnoxious “influencer” slang.😒😒😒. Just useful information! THANK YOU!!!! Also, I CANNOT WAIT TO BINGE WATCH AND LEARN FROM YOUR OTHER VIDEOS! YOU’LL BE HEARING FROM ME SOON!😃😃😃😃

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Wow, thanks!! Sorry Im reading this 3 months late, but that was such a nice comment❤️

[@belleamie4628]

Thank you the straight to the point tie dye video. Would you please do a video using 2 dye colors! ❤

[@LouZerr1]

I have had several failures and a few moderate successes. This is the best, most complete tutorial I have seen so far. I will be starting a shirt in about 10 minutes. I will let you know how it turns out.

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Good luck! and thanks:)

[@viridianaasaf1366]

So how did it turn out?

[@angelashoson8900]

Thanks for this video! We bought one of those expensive tie dye kits and made some shirts and honestly we butchered them and we weren't really willing to spend the money on the cheap tie dye crap again but i thought rit might go a lot farther if i could figure out how to use it for tie dye and then i found this video! Now we can make all the tie dye we want! And i figured out why we butchered our shirts the first time lol.... we only soaked one side. So thanks for the video!

[@debbiesimpson8861]

Thank you so much for your tips 😁 I'm just getting into Tie-dying. Loving it. I find the red is the one that runs the most. Grrr lol

[@bryanlane4454]

Love your video. You touch on so many pro tips.

[@mgarcia91566]

Start at 4:55 if you want to know how to actually use the dye.

[@happydadeury]

Thanks

[@lornakim5706]

You don't have to tie nor use rubber bands; you can fold again and again to as close to little baggie size & leave in the Sun in a large stainless steel bowl for a couple-few days.. unfold and there's a nice design^^ Xoxo & Merci Beaucoup for your Super tutorial,!!

[@leslieadkins6276]

When I was in high school, it was common for thhe girls to tie dye and sell to the other students. I never thought this would come back.😂

[@emilyb2368]

Thank you for the specific tips!!

[@Sonicgurl1994]

This was so very helpful!! Thank you!!

[@anuradhaa8465]

Yupi!usefull by the way the otter that comes in the beginning is damn cute...I just observed😍😍😘😘

[@74bassman]

Very informative video!

[@shashiprasad4446]

Thanks for sharing Ma’am 😍

[@officialkw77]

So terrific, So descriptive

[@TheHomemakingWildflower]

Thank you this was super helpful ❤❤

[@alicemanbit5976]

Thanks for clear directions

[@silveriocastillo9557]

Great idea👍

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Thank you! 😊

[@karryvalencia9761]

Awesome 👍👍👍👍👍

[@FrankZen]

Great tutorial!

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Thank you!

[@madisonpar2485]

So Good thank you!!

[@vmmiller1558]

Thank you! Do you ever have a problem with the dye coming out in the wash after wear? I now have matching socks from the dye coming off.

[@devbachu7072]

Will try the overnight one

[@FunkatronJive]

What method do you use the most (microwave vs letting it sit overnight).. I am going to do white duvet covers. Do you ever use the Rit Fixative stuff?

[@peterosicka3313]

You Rock! thank you soo much hon.

[@shashiprasad4446]

😍😍👌👌

[@piranha168]

Do you have to add soda ash to the pre shirt rinse or is that not necessary with Rit dye as opposed to traditional tie dye dyes?

[@devbachu7072]

If you have no microwave can adding the dye can you leave in a bag overnight then rinse an wash seperated

[@riya17200]

im doing about 6 shirts in a rush job, so do you recommend washing them all together or one at time? asking for when you rinse it out and for when you put it in a washing machine. andddd do you recommend just using a dryer to dry them all. thank youu this video was so helpful!!

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Hey! Sorry about the late response, if washing 6 shirts together the dye might bleed, make sure to rinse them out thoroughly first!! I washed 6 together and when I rinsed them really well, they were okay and didn’t bleed. I put them in the dryer

[@luanawilchek644]

I would suggest using rit colorstay dye fixative.

[@mortrose2021]

I take mine out of the bands after like a couple min then hang it out to dry on a hanger then wash it out later I know it’s a weird method but I like it because I can see what I’ve done sooner and it works for me so

[@commonsense5489]

The salt is crucial when using rit. It really helps the longevity of your colors.

[@Lucdreams21]

I add a tsp of super washing soda aka soda ash

[@jgbullen]

One cup of white vinegar will set a pail full of shirts when added to rinse water.

[@KATEplusTWO]

If using her measurements how much salt would you add? And are we talking regular table/iodized salt?

[@commonsense5489]

@@KATEplusTWO 200ml? I would use 1/8 cup of salt but I would add 75ml of dye instead of 50ml. Roy tends to be lighter side when doing the dyes. Roy used the right way is on a stove top with heat

[@markdressen8115]

Can you reuse the dye that's left in the bottle due to it not being hot water anymore. Thanks

[@janicebr29]

Thanks for this video, one of the best out there. I've never done any tie dye and I don't have a microwave. I would be leaving it overnight. What are your thoughts on using the rit tie dye fixative?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Ive never used it, but it might help your colors to stay bright. Leaving it over night will work better than the microwave, good luck!!

[@janicebr29]

@@MrOtterArtStudio thank you! I did one piece with the fixative and leaving it in the sun(inside apartment) and heating with blow dryer, and leaving it overnight, it came out fine. My worry now is if the dyes can stain other fabrics when in contact. I made a tote bag, so let’s say the tote bag is full and as I am carrying it on my shoulder, it’s rubbing against a white t-shirt, is it possible that the t-shirt will stain? Do you have any experience on this? Thank you

[@Missy-Leigh]

@@janicebr29 it won’t stain your shirt if you have washed it with a mild detergent. Especially if you use color stay fixative.

[@1Corinthians2.2]

I thought the fixative really helped, but, then, maybe Rit dye just takes to the fabric better than Tulip dye. With Tulip dye you can rinse and rinse and rinse....and 40 minutes later color is still running out. So, I switched to Rit and used the dye fixative, and I only had to rinse for a couple minutes or so until the water ran clear. I found that when I threw it in the wash after dying, it didn't remove a bunch of the color as happens with Tulip dye. (I used the microwave method).

[@emilypowers829]

When you rinse the dye out, is it hot or cold water that you rinse with?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

I rinsed them in hot water

[@janetsnitzer7090]

One more question 😊 should I soak in soda ash b4 using rit dye?

[@trishajanecreates]

I use Rit dye fixative to set in the colors. Is this an option. Great tutorial

[@allisondunbar8353]

It is optional

[@smcar2285]

I’m so excited to use my Rit. I just ordered the camel!!! You’re so easy to watch lol

[@christineedwards5944]

I used the microwave method and it broke so now I’m trying over night, I put the color fixative on 30 min after then threw in a bag… is this how it should be done?

[@devbachu7072]

If you do not have a mircovae can you lea e it over night then do you soak it in soda Ashe first

[@1Corinthians2.2]

Rit dye doesn’t work with soda ash. Add salt and a drop of blue Dawn dish soap. And,use their dye fixative.

[@katrinaking6532]

Have you ever used the powder?

[@devbachu7072]

Anka do you soak first in soda ash mixture

[@stephaniebayat5621]

When throwing it in the washing machine do you wash it with cold or hot water??

[@taylorhernandez3508]

Cold

[@Star-dj1kw]

✅good video

[@juniorwear439]

I make the shirts like you wearing but with different patterns.

[@marycorbett1744]

I put tye dye in a low oven after dying (200 for an hour). Do you have video of how you did your shirt?

[@amandaoneil6916]

Hi I have used this dye for the 1st time a have used cold water instead of hot(my bad too over eager and never read full instructions)i am leaving overnight have I just ruined my tiedye by using cold water ? X

[@sarafernandez1030]

Would you recommend the microwave or over night method? What is the difference in there results?

[@allisondunbar8353]

I don't think there is a difference I think the microwave method just speeds up the process

[@lgilbert2718]

What material is the one you are going to make facemasks?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Cotton rayon blend

[@VRexMoto]

Are you supposed to rinse in cold water? Or hot?

[@KushCloset-jf2sd]

Can you wash more than one shirt together when they are all finished, or do you need to wash each one separate? Or like if I do a bunch of greens and a bunch of blacks, separate by color but wash them all together? I don't have a washer at home, so just trying to figure it out. I have a mini washer at a friends house but he's being slow at getting it back to me.

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

As long as you rinse them out well, I usually wash mine together. However if you have a bunch of green items and a bunch of black items then I would wash the green together and the black together. The only time I had the color bleed was when I didn’t let it sit overnight.

[@KushCloset-jf2sd]

@@MrOtterArtStudio Thanks so much! I did my green ones and they came out pretty good I was happy with them and think they'll go great with what I have planned, on to the gray/black to test them out now! :D

[@1lillypad44]

do you wash it on cold with soap or just rinse again in washer?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

I wash on cold with detergent

[@jl_diaz5310]

Do you use soda ash?

[@cheyennedunford4681]

Does this kind of dye work well on 50 50 blends? I was planning on tie dyeing a sweatshirt that is 50%cotton and 50%polyester.

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Cheyenne Dunford yes, it should, just make sure to leave the dye on long enough

[@abbycastillo9484]

How long should we leave the Dye ?

[@thezigzag127]

Rit has a dye called dyemore which is for blends or synthesis

[@chrinamint]

Oh crap... I bought some dye a few minutes ago. Didn't realize there were different ones I just saw Rit and got the colors I wanted. After your comment my subconscious memory remembered seeing dye more so I looked in my bag and sure enough I bought the dyemore kind. I hope it still works okay on my cotton shirts. Now I'm wondering if I need to take it back.

[@lornakim5706]

All of my Comments via KZbin Kentucky Legend Whiskey-glazed Ham Recipe & on additional Videos (the small Dark Green Rit Dye boxed powder results are Exceptionally Rich in color. Love it & prefer it to the Liquid Navy🎆

[@janetsnitzer7090]

How long can rit be stored in bottles already mixed?

[@alyssaanderson2563]

does leaving it overnight give a better outcome than microwave?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

leaving it overnight did work better than the microwave for me

[@rochelleworthington4228]

how did you make your shirt... and what colors did you use

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

It’s a madewell black t shirt and I used bleach to tie dye it then I used blue rit dye all over it to make it less bright orange

[@JohnSmithh644]

some videos also say throw a white towel in with the wash to soak up bleeding colors

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Great tip!!

[@felicitym381]

Can you still use your microwave after to eat lol serious question

[@yvettegarcia7597]

Does this work with ringspun cotton shirts?

[@allisondunbar8353]

Yes! That's what I'm using too lol it works great but instead of 30 mins of letting it sit do 45 minutes just to make sure all the dye is fully saturated because ringspun cotton is a bit more thick

[@janetsnitzer7090]

I love your videos ❤ anymore on rit dye?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

There will be more coming, I have learned a ton

[@janetsnitzer7090]

I'm watching for them 😊

[@Ivan-jc9hx]

Can I use the Rit dye on a 100% polyester sweater?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Yes, just make sure you use RIt DyeMore, it is formulated for synthetic fibers

[@tamijohnson9870]

How long did the color last doing the microwave method?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

The microwave method has worked well, color stays

[@doreenpike331]

You don’t need to soak in soda ash or vinegar?

[@meghanmcgetrick4887]

My dying a comforter what method should i use

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Meghan McGetrick that’s awesome! I would do the swirl technique it looks awesome large scale, I’m not sure how the dye will travel through the feather interior I have never tried it. Definitely make sure it is damp to start with. Post a pic on Instagram with #mrotterstudio I want to see the results!!!

[@shervonserrano3504]

i subscribed to your youtube i am got to do tie dye

[@undyedflames2104]

When microwaving it does it leave an after smell?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

a little, its covered in plastic, I honestly have way better luck if I leave it over night

[@rukayatoluwa6137]

Do you know how to make the colours lighter?

[@elainesantana1811]

I imagine that you gotta add white to the color a little at a time

[@allisondunbar8353]

Or dilute it with more water

[@tylermoultrie4332]

I dont have a microwave so can I still tie dye?

[@neja481]

yeah of course, just instead of wrapping it and putting it in a microwave, put it in a plastic bag and leave it overnight or 24h to be safe and then you just rinse it, throw in the washer etc.

[@tristadillard7344]

Did you use color stay?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

I didn't, but I really think I need to try it, I just did a batch and the colors ran!! I didn't let them sit for long enough before rinsing them out

[@anastaciajuarez8360]

How many will you wash in the washer

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

I will put up to 5 in the washer but last time they did bleed onto each other a little.... I might try washing them separately next time

[@johnkreiter3038]

4:56 we actually start to talk about using ritt dye

[@johnkreiter3038]

5:48 we stop talking about ritt dye, So there is a short, less than a minute, chat about ritt dye, in the middle of one of the worst tie dye instructions for 8 excruciating minutes. Still I dont know how to use the frickin dye.

[@chrinamint]

Why not? She says how to use it.

[@gloriagiefer3013]

I noticed you didn't mention anything about the dye fixative after you've rinsed the shirt out isn't that supposed to be used

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Ive never used fixative, I will definitely try it out, my last batch bled a little

[@wendyrichards1512]

Q: Rinse in hot or cold water? Wash in hot or cold water?

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Rinse in hot, I wash in cold

[@lornakim5706]

WHY should the Super Power with Drones completely circumvented remain so whatsoever and again through Several+ Administrations now

[@stephanieforrester873]

Yeah I went to a bunch of Hobby Lobby's and have had no luck with tie dye. Empty shelves!!

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

Try using bleach as tie dye on dark colored shirts, it looks amazing!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3TUpYRnatmKgdk. I couldn't find dye either so Ive been using bleach

[@allisondunbar8353]

I work at hobby lobby the Tulip brand kits sell out really fast I would recommend this Rit dye because nobody really knows u can use it as tie dye !

[@mitchwalker5172]

Do you a fixiative

[@MrOtterArtStudio]

no

[@Lucdreams21]

Also I wanted to use the microwave method but they say it can be toxic so do it outside and not to use it for food anymore😢

[@DaedalFactotem]

Rit Dye is specifically non-toxic; you won’t ruin the microwave.

[@MYBB90]

the dot on the screen was distracting

[@1Corinthians2.2]

Water is supposed to be 140 degrees.

[@shervonserrano3504]

my name is shakir serrano i am 12 year