Published Date September 21, 2020
If you’ve heard of tie dye, you’ve probably heard of soda ash too. If not, then we’re sure you’re now thinking, what is soda ash? And what does it have to do with tie dye? Soda ash is also known as sodium carbonate, but the most important thing you need to know about it is that soda ash can help prepare the fibers of your fabric to better absorb dyes and therefore produce brighter results. It’s often used as a presoak treatment before tie dyeing, but it’s not necessary when using Tulip One-Step Dyes because they already have soda ash mixed into the dyes. However, you can absolutely still use it! In this tutorial, Mikyla Creates shows you how to use soda ash for tie dye.
- Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit of choice
- White 100% cotton hoodie or item to tie dye
- Bowl
- Measuring cups
- Stir spoon
- Disposable plastic surface cover
- Sealable plastic bag
Prepare 8 cups of warm water and add to a mixing bowl. Make sure the bowl is large enough to fit the item you are going to tie dye.
Add half of a 2-lb. bag of soda ash to the warm water and stir until thoroughly mixed.
Completely submerge your hoodie (or item you are tie dyeing) in the soda ash solution and allow it to soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
After your fabric is done soaking, remove it from the solution and wring it out, but do not rinse it. Place it on your covered work surface and fold and bind it using whatever tie-dye technique you like!
Mix your One-Step Dyes according to instructions, then apply to your soda ash pretreated fabric as normal. Once you have applied your dyes, cover your project with plastic or seal in a sealable plastic bag and let set for 6 to 8 hours or longer. Then rinse and launder according to instructions.
And that’s how to use soda ash for tie dye! Wasn’t that easy? Didn’t Mikyla’s hoodie turn out so bright and fun?!
Are you thinking of trying soda ash for your next tie-dye project? If you do, let us know how it turned out by tagging us on social @tulipcolorcrafts. Happy tie dyeing!
