Once your tie dye has set for approximately 24 hours, it's time to rinse it properly and avoid staining when washing it later - this step is vital in order to ensure no bleeding of colors or even complete loss of hues altogether!
Starting off by rinsing fabric with cold water is always recommended; this helps stop any chemical reactions taking place on your fabric that could potentially stain its material and remove any extra dye that hasn't yet bonded with it. Furthermore, cold water also neutralizes any acids left from using vinegar to set your dye.
Continue rinsing in cold water until most of the dye particles have been washed away; at this stage most loose dye is likely gone and you can move onto warm water rinsing, as this helps open up fabric pores to release additional dye particles that must be washed off your garment until all water runs completely clear.
Once your fabric has been thoroughly rinsed, it's ready for washing. However, be careful not to overload the washer as this could cause its dyes to rub off onto other items and color them as well. For small loads or short wash settings use gentle cycles; otherwise place tie-dyed garments into separate laundry loads for the first few washes so their colors don't merge and run together.
Before beginning the wash cycle, add a small amount of laundry detergent. This will help bind any remaining dye and make washing and drying much faster and simpler. Feel free to choose any brand, but for optimal results try opting for one with mild formulas so that the dye won't fade as rapidly.
Be sure to read and follow all instructions on your detergent label for any special instructions, such as adding an acidic solution during the wash cycle in order for it to work effectively. Acids found in some detergents may react with certain types of dye and cause it to bleed or fade, so follow all directions closely if you want vibrant colours for longer. Be extra cautious with delicate fabrics like lace and silk as these may require additional steps for effective washing; use a mesh laundry bag when protecting delicates from potential tears in the washing machine.
