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    Home » DIY Projects

    Reverse Tie Dye - A Fun and Easy Craft Project

    August 26, 2020 by Patti Estep Leave a Comment

    Long sleeve t-shirt with bleach tie dye

    Learn how to use bleach to reverse tie dye your t-shirts and other clothing to create a fun inexpensive new look.

    Short sleeve black t-shirt with bleach tie dye.

    This tie dye t-shirt was created using bleach.

    Reverse Tie Dye Technique

    I had not heard of reverse tie dye until my daughter showed what she did with her old tennis team hoodie. It was all black originally and she was able to create this almost camo print with bleach.

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    I tried this at home and used a 50/50 bleach to water solution just like she did.

    However, it just didn't work at all. I even tried 100% bleach but nothing happened. I thought maybe the t-shirts I was using had some super strong dye. Then one day I went to Dollar General and bought a black men's t-shirt and a small bottle of new bleach.

    Safety Note: You definitely will want to wear gloves for this project. You also may want to work outside or a least open a window or use a fan in your work area as bleach fumes are toxic.

    T-shirt wrapped with rubber bands in basin showing some bleaching areas.

    I wet the t-shirt first (per my daughter's suggestion) wrapped up the t-shirt with rubber bands and set it in a basin. Then I took an empty water bottle and filled it halfway with bleach and the rest water.

    I started to pour it over the t-shirt and it almost immediately changed colors.

    As it turns out my bleach had expired! Who knew?

    Black T-shirt wrapped in rubber bands in a white basin with bleach and water solution turning it red and orange.

    After about two minutes I removed the rubber bands and rinsed out the t-shirt. Then I ran the shirt through the washing machine and dryer.

    Short sleeve mens black t-shirt after reverse tie dye effect.

    Here is the result. Pretty interesting but much more faded than I wanted.

    Long sleeve black shirt wrapped in rubber bands after bleach solution has been poured over it.

    So I went back to the original t-shirts to try again. This time I only let the bleach solution on for about 30 seconds before rinsing.

    Long sleeve black t-shirt after bleach solution.

    Better, but still very faded.

    Short sleeve black t-shirt with just a little of the bleach solution.

    On this last one, I only let it sit for 5 seconds and immediately rinsed it. I like this look the best.

    Hoodie after reverse tie dye method.

    I was disappointed that my experiments were so red and orange and not the shades of brown and grey that my daughter was able to get. She also bought a new bottle of bleach. However, I believe she created hers in a bathtub and set the wet hoodie in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water instead of pouring it over the shirt as I did. Maybe that made a difference.

    Regardless, it was a fun experiment. This is a great way to bring some life back into older clothing. Some that you're not wearing or may have faded. Or you could try it with other colors other than black.

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

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