How to Get Tie Dye Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got tie dye on your clothes and want to remove it. Maybe you were doing a tie dye project, dye transferred in the wash, or you got dye on your clothes while handling dyed items. Tie dye is a fabric dye that bonds with fabric fibers and produces vibrant, permanent colors. Here’s how to get tie dye out of clothes without damaging the fabric.

Tie dye stains on clothes are dye stains caused by fabric dye bonding with fabric fibers and producing a colored mark. Dye stains are difficult to remove because the dye bonds tightly with the fabric. The key to removing tie dye is lifting the dye with rubbing alcohol or oxygen bleach before it sets permanently.

To get tie dye out of clothes, rinse with cold water from the back, apply rubbing alcohol to lift the dye, blot with a clean cloth, apply Dawn dish soap, scrub with a toothbrush, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Don’t use hot water, don’t rub, and don’t put tie dye-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Fresh Tie Dye Stains

Step 1: Rinse with Cold Water

Rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric. This pushes the dye out of the fibers. Use cold water only. Hot water sets dye stains.

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to the stain with a cotton ball or cloth. Place a clean cloth under the stain to catch the dye as it transfers. The alcohol lifts the dye from the fabric. Blot from the outside in. Don’t rub. Replace the cloth under the stain as it absorbs dye.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stain. Work it in gently. Let sit for 15 minutes. Dawn breaks down the dye carrier.

Step 4: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 6: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes. OxiClean breaks down dye stains.

Step 7: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of baking soda and 1 scoop of OxiClean to the wash.

Step 9: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse.

Step 10: Check Before Drying

Check that the tie dye stain is gone before putting clothes in the dryer. If it remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put tie dye-stained clothes in the dryer.

Step 11: Air Dry

Air dry the clothes. Don’t use the dryer until you’re sure the stain is gone.

For Dried Tie Dye Stains

Step 1: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain. Place a clean cloth under the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. Blot from the outside in. Replace the cloth as it absorbs dye.

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 4: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 5: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 6: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add baking soda and OxiClean to the wash.

Step 8: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 9: Check Before Drying

Check that the stain is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Don’t put tie dye-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Stubborn Tie Dye Stains

Use Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Clothes)

For stubborn tie dye stains on white clothes, apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Let sit for 10 minutes. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that breaks down dye. Don’t use on colored clothes.

Use Oxygen Bleach Soak

Soak the stained clothes in a solution of OxiClean and warm water for 2 to 6 hours before washing. This gives the oxygen bleach more time to break down the dye.

Use Chlorine Bleach (For White Cotton, Last Resort)

For severe tie dye stains on white cotton, use chlorine bleach. Add half a cup to the wash. Don’t use on colored clothes or fabric with colored trim. Use sparingly.

Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with Dye

If the tie dye stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Repeat the Process

Stubborn tie dye stains may need 2 to 4 treatments. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.

Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

Tie Dye Stain Removal by Fabric Type

Fabric Type	Best Treatment	Water Temp	Notes
White cotton	Rubbing alcohol, peroxide, OxiClean	Warm	Can use chlorine bleach as last resort
Colored cotton	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	Don’t use peroxide or chlorine bleach
Polyester	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	Gentler scrubbing
Denim	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Cold to warm	Wash inside out
Delicates	Rubbing alcohol, gentle blotting	Cold	Don’t scrub, don’t use peroxide

How to Prevent Tie Dye Stains

Wear Gloves and an Apron

Wear gloves and an apron when doing tie dye projects to prevent dye from getting on your clothes.

Wash Tie Dyed Items Separately

Wash newly tie dyed items separately for the first 3 to 4 washes to prevent dye transfer.

Use Cold Water for Tie Dyed Items

Wash tie dyed items in cold water to prevent dye bleeding and transfer.

Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse for tie dyed items. Vinegar helps set the dye and prevents bleeding.

Don’t Mix Tie Dyed Items with Light Colors

Don’t wash tie dyed items with light colors, which can pick up dye. Wash separately.

What Not to Do

Don’t use hot water. Hot water sets dye stains permanently. Use cold or warm water.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the dye. Blot from the outside in or scrub gently with a toothbrush.

Don’t put tie dye-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets dye permanently. Air dry and check first.

Don’t use hydrogen peroxide on colored clothes. Hydrogen peroxide can bleach colored fabric. Use on white clothes only.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes. Chlorine bleach removes color. Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean) instead.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Stubborn tie dye stains may need 2 to 4 treatments. Repeat the process.

FAQ

How do you get tie dye out of clothes? Rinse with cold water from the back, apply rubbing alcohol to lift the dye, blot with a clean cloth, apply Dawn dish soap, scrub with a toothbrush, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying.

What removes tie dye from clothes? Rubbing alcohol, Dawn dish soap, OxiClean, and hydrogen peroxide (for white clothes) remove tie dye from clothes. For stubborn stains, use oxygen bleach soak or chlorine bleach (white cotton only).

Does rubbing alcohol remove tie dye from clothes? Yes. Rubbing alcohol lifts the dye from the fabric. Apply to the stain, blot from the outside in with a clean cloth under the stain, and wash.

Can you put tie dye-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets dye permanently. Air dry and check first. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash.

How do you prevent tie dye from staining clothes? Wear gloves and an apron, wash tie dyed items separately for the first 3 to 4 washes, use cold water, add vinegar to the rinse, and don’t mix tie dyed items with light colors.

References

1. Tide. “Dye Stain Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Tie Dye from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Dye Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.