Using salt to create cool tie-dye designs? Yes, it’s 100% doable. You can create tie-dye patterns (and even shapes and words) by following what’s called a “salt-resist” tie-dye technique.
This is a great tie-dye project to do with kids, since it’s a science experiment meets garment-decorating exercise all in one. Salt osmotically pulls liquid toward it, so any wet fabric dye will move toward the salt. This process results in a line or streak of lighter color pointing at a dot of vibrant color.
Unlike other tie-dyeing techniques where you crumple your t-shirt or bind it up in rubber bands, you’ll stretch your t-shirt fabric so that it’s tight and taut. If your garment fabric is loose, you won’t get clearly defined streaks.
While the salt-resist tie-dye process takes more time than traditional tie dye, you’ll love the results: an eye-catching tie-dye texture and patterning. We’ve got eight steps for a fun and get-noticed salt tie-dye technique you can use on your favorite t-shirt in your kitchen, laundry room or outside.
1. Gather the Salt Dye Supplies
Since you probably have salt in your kitchen, you're halfway there! You’ll just need to grab a few extra items to create a tie-dye masterpiece with salt. So let’s go!
Before you plan to salt tie dye those tees with texturized shapes, patterns and even letters, take some time to gather what you’ll need for this project. Here’s a short list of what we recommend you use:
- Blank t-shirts (white or light-colored)
- Non-iodized salt
- Coarse salt (optional)
- Rubber bands (optional)
- Liquid fabric dye
- Paper towels
- A protective plastic sheet for your work area
- A timer
- Rubber gloves
- Work clothes and an apron.
2. Choose the Best T-Shirt for Salt Dye Tie-Dye
White or light-colored, natural fiber t-shirts, such as cotton, are best for salt dyeing. You may already have a good t-shirt for this project in your closet, since any blank cotton shirt will do the trick.
If you need a lot of matching t-shirts or a new one for this project, Threadsy has hundreds of inexpensive 100% cotton t-shirts that fit the bill.
3. Prepare Your T-Shirt (or T-Shirts) for the Salt Tie Dye Process.
Wear your work clothes, apron and rubber gloves when you’re ready to start.
Prewash your t-shirt in the washer, but don’t use fabric softener. Dry your garment to damp without any dryer sheets, since the salt-resist technique works best on a garment that’s not completely dry.
If you’re short on time, you can skip laundering the t-shirt, and just get it wet in the sink. Then, hand-wring most of the water out so the fabric is just damp.
4. Prepare Your Salt Tie-Dye Work Area.
You can even do this while you’re washing your white t-shirt. Of course, work in an area where it’s OK if things get a little messy, like in your kitchen, garage or outside.
Place your plastic sheet on your work surface. Layer paper towels on top of the plastic (you can also use a trash bag if you don’t have a plastic sheet on hand).
Then, lay your t-shirt out on the paper towels. We recommend adding another plastic sheet or a cut-open plastic bag inside the t-shirt so that your dye doesn’t get onto the back. Some people like to place a bowl inside the t-shirt body to collect any extra dye.
5. Get Ready to Break Out the Salt
Now, you can sprinkle the sea salt on your t-shirt. Get creative! You can create random patterns, geometric shapes, or even letters and words all over the fabric.
6. Seeing Rainbows? It’s Time to Apply the Dye.
If you haven’t already pulled your gloves on, do it now. (You’ll always want to protect your hands from any type of dye you’re using.)
Add your fabric dyes to your t-shirt over the salt.
7. Watch the Salt Science in Action
This isn’t a 15-minute process. You’re going to need to wait six to eight hours for the whole salt process to work.
8. You Love the Unique Patterns, so Let’s Get this T-Shirt Ready to Wear
Now, transfer your t-shirt to a sink and brush off the salt. Then, wash the shirt alone in your laundry machine, inside out, with a small amount of soap, to remove any remaining dye. Once it’s washed, you can dry your t-shirt like you normally do, in the dryer on low, or on a clothesline.
But Wait, How Can I Get a Textured Salt Dye Look?
Kudos on your powers of observation if you realized that we haven’t used the coarse sea salt or rubber bands yet. If you want a textured feel to your salt tie-dye design—along with a set pattern like swirls or bull’s-eye—here’s where those extra items come into play.
- After you get your shirt damp, grab those rubber bands to tie your shirt randomly or in a pattern so you get specific results. For example, if you want a bull’s-eye pattern, you’ll create a tube shape with your t-shirt and bands. For swirls, you’ll need a wedge shape.
- Put on your rubber gloves and layer on your different color liquid fabric dyes all over the t-shirt. However, don’t soak the t-shirt with the dyes.
- Now, it’s time for that coarse sea salt. Rub lots of salt all over the t-shirt to add texture.
- Wrap your t-shirt in plastic to keep it damp, and let it sit for eight hours for the salt and dye to work their magic together.
- The last step is the same as above: Transfer your t-shirt to a sink and brush off the salt. Then, wash the shirt alone, inside out, with a small amount of soap. Once it’s washed, you can dry your t-shirt like you normally do, in the dryer on low, or on a clothesline.
Get Inspired (& Inspire) with Salt Tie-Dye Designs
With the salt-resist technique, you can pair a tie-dye look with your custom text: your name, your kid’s name, your customer’s name or even a word or a short inspirational message. That way you’re pairing two of the hottest apparel trends of the last couple years: tie dye and statement t-shirts. So don’t be shy! Break out the salt.
Find Your Next Piece to Salt Dye from Threadsy!
Once you start salt dyeing, it’s hard to stop. You can feed your tie-dye habit without breaking the bank thanks to Thready! We have tons of tie-dyeable blank clothing and accessories at super low prices. T-shirts are our most popular products, but the fun doesn’t have to stop there. Check out cotton canvas totes, aprons, or even towels for your next salt dye adventure
