Ice Dye Tutorial - How to Ice Dye by Spicy Pinecone

In this DIY video, I show you how to create colorful projects using the ice-dye technique. With ice dye, you can create custom, one-of-a-kind pieces that are bright, colorful and fun.

Supplies You Will Need for this Project:

- Item to Dye. (Either fabric or ready-to-wear clothing made of natural, plant-based fibers such as cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc.)

- Dye. I use Dharma Fiber Reactive Powdered dyes. These can be found at dharmatrading.com (Spicy Pinecone is not affiliated with Dharma Trading and did not receive any compensation for making this video. Everything used in this video was 100% purchased outright.)

- Mask. NIOSH-approved mask to keep out powders when mixing up soda ash and placing dye powders. This is NOT optional. Dyes are harmful if you breathe them in.

- Soda Ash. This is a dye fixative. This substance is mildly caustic, and you'll want to wear gloves and a mask (some people also choose to wear goggles) when mixing it up.

- Gloves.

- Spoons. Either plastic spoons or "regular" spoons.

- Stirring utensil. Non-reactive metal spoon (such as stainless steel) or wooden tool.

- Bucket or Bowl for soda ash solution.

-Storage Container with a locking lid. This is to hold your dye project and keep the runoff water contained. (Dispose of runoff dye water as per dye manufacturer's instructions.)

-Rack or shelf made of plastic or non-reactive metal (such as stainless steel). This will elevate your project off of the bottom of your storage container and keep it out of the muddy "runoff" dye water. Keeping colors bright and crisp.

- Ice. Have more on hand than you think you'll need. I buy a backup bag, just in case. ;-)

**Please note- ANY items used for dyeing should only ever be used for dyeing. DO NOT use any dye items for any other application such as food preparation, etc. It is not safe.**

Optional items you'll see in this video:

- Large plastic tub.

- Large stainless steel rack. This was placed over my large plastic tub. Also purchased from a restaurant supply store. I BELIEVE it was some kind of frying rack, but I may be wrong. It was just large and stainless steel... so it works.
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Steps for Ice Dyeing:

1.) Prewash your fabric if you're going to (not necessary, but you can) and start preparing your soda ash solution. Wearing gloves, goggles, and a mask, mix up your soda ash solution using the supplier's recommended amount. (I use 1 cup of soda ash per gallon of warm water, but some suppliers recommend 2 cups per gallon.) Warm water works best. Stir until cloudiness disappears and solution is clear.

2.) Soak fabric/clothing item for 15-30 minutes in soda ash solution. Make sure item is fully submerged.

3.) Wearing proper protective gear, wring out soda ash solution. Get as much out as you can. You do not want your fabric soaking wet... there should be no "drips". Now, you can either set your fabric aside in a safe place to fully dry, or, if it's just slightly damp... move on to Step 4.

4.) Scrunch up fabric. Textured fabric should have textured side (or "right side") up.

5.) Add ice. Cover surface area of fabric with an even layer of ice. If you're concerned about even coverage, you can build a cardboard "ring" that fits around your project to help hold the ice.

6.) Wearing proper protection, add dye powders.

7.) Let sit for 24-hours.

8.) Rinse project in cold water until it runs clear. (Dispose of dye runoff water as per manufacturer's instructions.)

9.) Wash project with detergent on hottest machine setting. I do an extra wash to make sure all excess dye is gone. Do not wash with other laundry!

10.) Dry and enjoy!

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