How to Ice Dye Dish Towels
Looking for a cool summer craft project to do? Well, you have come to the right place! For years, we have been sharing our favorite ways to dye fabric.
From using natural indigo dye, to plant based natural dyes and more! Ice dyeing has quickly become a favorite method of ours. And we love dyeing fabric so much there is an entire section dedicated to these projects!
Check out our tutorial for How to Ice Dye Dish Towels below. This will soon become a favorite craft to make!
What is Ice Dyeing?
Ice dyeing fabric is a unique and exciting technique that creates beautiful and unpredictable results. Some call this method “ice tie dye”. One of the reasons why it is so cool and fun is the element of surprise.
With ice dyeing, you never quite know how the colors will blend and interact with each other. As the ice melts and the dye slowly seeps into the fabric, beautiful patterns will emerge.
Each piece created through ice dyeing is a one-of-a-kind design, making it a truly individual and super creative process. Honestly, it comes out completely different every single time we ice dye.
Another reason why ice dyeing is so much fascinating (and addicting) is the hands-on nature of the process. It allows for a great deal of experimentation.
You have the freedom to choose your color palette and placement of the dye The process itself is also quite meditative. Watching the vibrant colors spread and blend as the ice melts is so cool!
Repurpose old clothes and fabrics
Ice dyeing is a great way to repurpose and revitalize old fabrics, thrifted clothes and old pillow cases and sheets even. By adding vibrant and eye-catching colors, you can transform a simple garment or piece of fabric into a unique and artistic creation.
It is a fun and cost-effective way to breathe new life into your textiles. Whether you’re dyeing a t-shirt, a scarf, or a piece of fabric for a craft project, ice dyeing allows you to unleash your creativity and create something truly special. You will soon fall in love with this dyeing technique just like we have.
What kind of fabric can you ice dye?
Natural fabrics like cotton, silk, linen, hemp and wool work the best. The natural fibers can absorb the powdered dyes. Synthetic fabrics must use dyes made especially for synthetic materials.
What is the best dye to use for Ice Dyeing?
Powder fabric dye works best for this tie dyeing method. You can use liquid dye, but you will not get the multiply colors watercolor look as you get with the powder dye. Powder form dye works best for this. Rit Dye makes fabric powder dye. We used this kind on these sweatshirts.
We used Jacquard Procion Fiber Reactive Dye on these Ice Dyed Tote Bags. We noticed that this brand of procion dye gives more color than the Rit Dye.
These Ice Dyed Tote Bags were done using Dharma Trading fiber reactive dyes, as well as these hoodies sweatshirts. The Dharma reactive dyes gives more depth and color!
Powdered Fabric Dyes
Rit Dye all purpose powder dye
Jacquard Procion Fiber Reactive Dye
Dharma Trading fiber reactive dyes
Ice Dyeing Supplies
– Powder dye – we love this Jacquard Procion Fiber Reactive Dye
– 100% cotton cloth dishtowels (we love these flour sack dish towels)
– soda ash
– Ice
– Drying rack
– Bin
– plastic gloves
Ice Dyeing Tip: A little bit of dye goes a long way – You only need to sprinkle the powder dye on the ice in a very small amount. Too much powder can take over the fabric and get dark and blotchy.
How to Ice Dye Cotton Dish Towels
Learn how to make these beauitful, one of a kind Ice Dye Dish Towels usign powdered fabric dye and ice!
Materials
- - Cotton dish towels (we love using flour sack dishtowels
- - powdered fabric dye
- - drying racks
- - ice
- - plastic gloves
- - soda ash
Tools
Instructions
How to Ice Dye Dishtowels
Prep the cotton dish towels. Wash with mild detergent to remove anything from fabric.
Next, soak the damp fabric in a soda ash solution (warm water mixture). Follow instructions on soda ash label. I soaked mine for 20 minutes.
We recommend to cover your work area.
Prep your supplies. Place cooling rack (or wire rack) over the tray or bin (like a plastic tub) to catch the melting snow and dye. I often use cheap aluminum cooking pans and plastic lids.
Remove fabric from soda ash bath. Wring out the excess water. Bunch the fabric and place it on top of cooling rack.
Place ice cubes on top of the fabric.
Now it is time to sprinkle dye powder on top of the ice with a spoon. A little bit goes a long way! You do not need a large sum.
NOTE: If you use mulitple colors of dye, leave a little room in between where you spinkle the powdered dye so the colors do not overly blend.
Allow the ice to melt completely. Depending on how warm it is, this could take a few hours. You can lightly spray the ice with water.
Rinse in the sink carefully.
Wash in the washing machine and dry.
How long does it take to ice dye?
The melting time for ice depends on how warm it is outside (or inside) when dyeing. Or if you have hte ice dyeing set up in direct sunlight. Typically we like to allow the ice to completely melt (a few hours) and then allow the dye to sit on the fabric for another few hours. Enjoy the melting process while it creates the most stunning ice dye technique.
Ice Dyeing is a meditative craft. It is so mesmerizing to watch the powder fabric dye melt into the ice and create such stunning water color like patterns.
Sara Albers of alice & Lois
Please note: Always read the manufacturer’s instructions on the dye package before dyeing fabric, as different dyes may have different instructions and requirements. Be sure to wear gloves and protect your work surface to avoid staining.
Do you use crushed ice or ice cubes? Your photos make it look like its crushed ice.
Hi there – thanks for reaching out. We most often use bagged ice from the store.