1Basic T-Shirt Tie-Dye
Inputs
Result
2 tbsp dye powder per color, 1 cup soda ash, 1 gallon water, 4 squeeze bottles.
| Dye Type | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber Reactive | 1 tbsp per oz | Requires soda ash fixative |
| All-Purpose | 1/2 cup per lb | No fixative needed |
| Natural Dye | 100% WOG | Weight of goods ratio |
Inputs
Result
2 tbsp dye powder per color, 1 cup soda ash, 1 gallon water, 4 squeeze bottles.
Inputs
Result
6.75 tbsp dye powder per color (1.5x modifier for ice dye), 2 cups soda ash, 2 gallons water, 5 squeeze bottles.
Inputs
Result
0.47 cups dye per color, 0 cups soda ash (not needed for all-purpose), 2 gallons water, 3 squeeze bottles.
For fiber reactive dyes like Procion MX, use 1 tablespoon of dye powder per ounce of fabric per color. For all-purpose dyes like Rit, use 1/2 cup per pound of fabric. Natural dyes typically require 100% weight of goods (equal weight of dye material to fabric).
The most common ratio for fiber reactive tie-dye is 1 tablespoon of dye powder per ounce of dry fabric weight. This ratio produces vibrant, saturated colors. For lighter shades, you can reduce the amount by half. Always weigh your fabric dry before dyeing.
Use 1 cup of soda ash per gallon of water for your pre-soak solution. For most projects, estimate about 1 gallon of water per pound of fabric, so you'll need roughly 1 cup of soda ash per pound of fabric being dyed.
Soda ash is required when using fiber reactive dyes (like Procion MX) to raise the pH and help the dye bond permanently to natural fibers. All-purpose dyes and natural dyes typically don't require soda ash, as they use different fixation methods.
Plan for approximately 1 gallon of water per pound of fabric for the soda ash pre-soak and rinsing. Ice dye techniques use less water initially, while natural dyeing may require 2 gallons per pound for the dye bath.
Different techniques use varying amounts of dye. Ice dye typically requires 1.5x more dye powder because ice dilutes the color. Dip dye uses about half as much since you're only dyeing part of the fabric. Standard techniques like spiral, crumple, and shibori use the base ratio of 1 tbsp per ounce.
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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2026
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