Name: Elisa

Message: Thank you for such a helpful website.  I used search, but did not find an answer.  I understand the importance of the first wash for tie-dye to be cold water only, and thereafter the hottest water possible, with detergent.  My question: this must sound like a stupid question, but when do you untie your tie-dye?  After the first hot water wash?  Thanks, I will try to buy from the vendors linked to your site.

This is not a stupid question at all. The problem is that, when you untie your dyed items, dyes from darker regions can transfer to lighter regions of the same garment. This problem is called "backstaining".

If not all of your dye molecules have completely reacted yet, for example if you use a good tie-dye kit but then untie your stuff after just a couple of hours, then the unwanted dye transfers will be permanent. When there are still some fresh dye molecules present that are capable of reacting with the fiber, it is very important to rinse your items as thoroughly as possible before untying them. 

However, if you allow lots of extra time, or the normal amount of time in a warmer-than-usual place, then all of the dye molecules will have reacted already. Some of the dye reacts with the fiber, as you want it to, and some of it reacts with the water that is present. I like to leave my tie-dyeing to react overnight, or at least 12 hours at 70°F or warmer.

If you do this, then any dye that transfers will stain the lighter regions only temporarily. If you then rinse once in cool water and then two or more times in very hot water, the backstaining will wash out.

Leaving the dyes to react for longer than necessary makes the whole thing simpler and easier. I don't rinse my freshly dyed items by hand at all, in this case. I keep a pair of child's blunt-ended scissors by the washing machine, fill the machine with cool water and Synthrapol, and then cut the ties as I drop the items into the washer for their first rinse.

Note that all of this applies only to fiber reactive dyes, such as Procion MX dyes or the dyes in a good tie-dyeing kit. None of what I have written above is true for all-purpose dyes, such as Rit or Tintex dyes. Backstaining is unavoidable if you use all-purpose dyes for tie-dyeing. I strongly advise you to use Procion dyes for tie-dyeing; never use Rit dye for tie-dyeing cotton.

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