1. First wash — cold and solo

For the first two or three washes, wash your piece alone in cold water. Handmade tie-dye is set with permanent, fiber-reactive dyes, but a small amount of excess dye can rinse out at the beginning. Washing solo protects your other laundry and gives the colors a clean start.

2. Use a mild, pH-neutral detergent

Choose a gentle detergent without bleach, brighteners, or fabric softener. Harsh additives strip pigment over time and can leave a waxy film on the fabric. A small amount of a plant-based or free-and-clear detergent is perfect.

3. Turn inside out, wash gentle

Turn the garment inside out before it goes in the machine, and use a gentle or delicates cycle. This reduces friction on the dyed surface so the colors stay crisp. Cold water is best — hot water opens the fibers and lets pigment escape.

4. Air dry in the shade

Line dry whenever possible, ideally in the shade. Direct sun is beautiful, but repeated UV exposure slowly softens hand-dyed pigments. If you use a dryer, tumble on low and pull the piece out while it's still slightly damp.

5. Ironing and storage

If you iron, keep it on a low setting and press on the reverse side. Fold and store your tie-dye in a drawer or on a shelf — long-term hanging can stretch the shoulders on heavier pieces.