Name: XCMom
Message: I have read many things on the internet about tie-dyeing and am confused one component of the process. Is it necessary to soak the garments to be dyed in the soda ash solution AND use urea when mixing the Procion dyes or does one or the other activate the dyes. Thanks for your help. Your website has given me confidence to try tie-dying t-shirts with my son's cross-country team.

Urea is optional, and has nothing to do with setting the dye. Urea is good to use, but it only helps to keep the fabric moist with the dye longer, to give them more time to react together. You can wrap the wet freshly dyed items in plastic overnight to keep them moist, instead, if you like. See "What is urea for? Is it necessary?"; it's in the FAQ section of my website.

Soda ash is essential; it is what sets Procion MX dye, by increasing the pH. You pre-soaking the shirts in soda ash so that when you put the dye on, it will react with the fabric. See the question "What is soda ash, and what's it used for in dyeing?".

Whatever you do, do NOT use all-purpose dye for tie-dyeing at room temperature. You must use fiber reactive dye, such as Procion MX dye. A tie-dye kit made by Jacquard or by Rainbow Rock will contain this type of dye. Some crafts stores carry these kits, or you can mail-order Procion MX dye from any of the dye suppliers listed on my Sources for Supplies page. (Here is a direct link to Procion MX dye at Fiber-Arts.com.)

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