Name: Barbara 
Message: Hello, I have several tie dyed items I purchased from Bermuda while on vacation. They are the most nicest tie dye I've ever seen nice bright vivid colors. But a way I can wash them. So they wont run while washing? I will lookforward to your e-mail.

If they were dyed properly, using fiber reactive dyes, you can wash them however you like, though it would be wise to wash them separately from your other laundry the first time or two. Fiber reactive dyes such as Procion MX dye will last for many washings even if washed in the hottest of water. Do not use bleach, however, as it can ruin the colors.

If your items were dyed using inferior all-purpose dye, or natural dyes, then they will run in the wash. You cannot solve this problem with home remedies such as vinegar or salt; the only real answer is to use a special dye fixative, such as Retayne, which you can buy from your local quilt supply shop, if you're lucky, or by mail-order from most of the companies listed on my Sources for Dyeing Supplies Around the World page.

For more information, see these two pages: "FAQ: Is there any way to "set" dye in purchased clothing?" and "Commercial Dye Fixatives (Retayne, Raycafix, Dyefix, Dharma Dye Fixative....)".

Since your tie-dyed items are exceptionally bright and vivid, it is very likely that they were dyed with good fiber reactive dyes, as these are among the brightest of dyes in common use. All-purpose dyes produce less beautiful colors. Natural dyes would have been labeled as such.

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