Here’s a tutorial on how to spray dye towels (or any fabric!) for a fun DIY project. We love these personalized towels for summer!
Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to get creative with your family! One of our favorite summer art projects is tie dye. We’ve tried many tie dye projects, and each summer we like to try something new or adventurous in the world of tie dye.
Our newest project was easy, fun, and perfect for the sunny weather: spray dyeing towels! And the best part is you get beautiful, unique towels that are perfect for beach days or poolside lounging.
If you don’t have white towels and don’t want to buy some, you can try this project with any fabric, just like regular tie dyeing.
How to Spray Dye Towels for Summer
MATERIALS
- White cotton towels (we got these for $3 from Target!)
- Spray dye or tie dye powder*
- Masking tape or duct tape
- Something to cover your workspace (plastic table cover, garbage bags, or cardboard)
- Rubber gloves
- Plastic spray bottles (if your dye doesn’t come in spray form)
- Clothespins and a clothesline or drying rack
*After buying numerous tie dye kits, we now just buy the powder refills. You get tons of colors, and you can use them to tie dye (just fill up old tie dye bottles), ice dye, or spray dye!
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare your workspace
Start by covering your workspace to protect it from any dye spills. We used a large piece of cardboard on the ground. You can use a plastic tablecloth or trash bags, too.
It’s best to do this project outdoors to avoid any mess inside the house. - Apply the tape
Use masking tape or duct tape to create patterns on the towels. One of my kids wanted his initials and the other wanted her name.
Make sure the tape is firmly pressed down to prevent dye from seeping under it.
- Prepare the dye
We used powdered dye, so we added it to empty spray bottles with 4 ounces of water. We only had 2 bottles so we chose blue and purple for our colors. Make sure to shake the dye and water very well so it mixes completely.
You can also use a spray tie dye kit that are found online or in the craft section of stores.
- Spray the dye
Lay your towel out on the covering. Be sure to put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from staining.
Let your kids choose their favorite colors and start spraying the dye onto the towels. Encourage them to spray in different directions and overlap colors to create beautiful blends and patterns.
The tape will resist the dye, leaving behind the white patterns once removed.
- Let the towels dry
Once you’ve finished spraying the dye, let the towels dry completely. We let them get mostly dry on the cardboard, then moved them to a drying rack. You can also hang them on a clothesline.
Once they are fully dry, carefully remove the tape to reveal the patterns. This is the most exciting part of the project!
We found that some of the dye had bled underneath the tape, but the letters were still very vibrant against the color.
- Set the dye
To ensure the dye sets and becomes permanent, follow the instructions on your dye kit. This usually involves heat setting by ironing or machine washing the towels in hot water.
Now you can enjoy your towels! Whether you’re heading to the beach, pool, or just relaxing in the backyard, these colorful towels will add a fun and personal touch to your summer adventures.
More Tie Dye Projects for Kids
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