Recently, the trend of tie dying clothes yourself has been on a huge rise. People have been dying every kind of outfit imaginable, like t-shirts, shorts, hoodies, and so much more. The trend became increasingly popular because it creates an intricate and unique pattern on plain clothes and is super affordable to do. Moreover, who doesn’t love a nice DIY project that you can wear and show off? If you want to hop on to the bandwagon, we can help. Want to learn how to die swim trunks? Well, we’ve got you covered!
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Step by step guide: How to tie dye swim trunks?
I’ve tie-died many clothes before but never swim trunks. However, I have a pair that I’d really like to try it out on. So, the real question is how to tie dye swim trunks? How exactly is it done?
To dye swim trunks you should use a dye that’s made for synthetics. Pour the dye into hot water and then submerge your swim trunks. Let it dye by letting it sit for 30- 60 minutes, then pick the swim trunks up from the water and rinse in cold water.
Let’s see that in an easy list:
1. Heat up a pot of water to just below boiling temperature
2. Crinkle your swim trunks into a ball and put rubber bands around it
3. Add dye to the almost boiling water. Follow the instructions on the bottle
4. Add in your swim trunks
5. Wait for 30-60 minutes
6. Take your swim trunks out and rinse them in cold water until no more dye comes out (the water should be clear)
7. Remove the rubber bands
In this post, we’ll go through the different questions you might have when dying swim trunks.
How to tie dye swim trunks infographic
What dye should I use for swim trunks?
The most crucial aspect while dying your swim trucks is the type of dye you use. This will determine how well the color is transferred onto the swim trunks along with the longevity. There are multiple dyes that you can use for swim trunks depending on the final outcome that you are expecting. Here are a few options that you can try. All of these work well with the swim trunks from Decisive Beachwear. Remember that a general rule of thumb is to wash your swim trunks before you begin the dying process.
For swim trunks we recommend going with a quality dye like Rit
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Acid dyes
Acid dyes will give you the most long lasting result with vibrant colors. Make sure to read the label of the acid dye you bought to double check whether it supports swimwear or not. If you plan to dye something that already has a color, try to pick out a dye that is darker. Any dyes lighter than your swim trunk’s color is unlikely to show up.
Disperse Dyes
Disperse dyes were created specifically for synthetic fibers. This is what swim trunks are made out of. They do have a few extra steps, but the results are definitely worth it. The only additional step is that you have to soak your swim trunks in warm water and add soda ash. Mix this for around ten minutes as the soda ash dissolves. You can substitute the soda ash with synthrapol or any other agent that will help the dye set into synthetic fibers.
While using dispersed dyes, make sure you use rubber gloves and have a face mask and apron on. Along with this, pick a room that is ventilated well, or take your DIY project outside for extra safety.
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Vat dyes
These dyes are natural and insoluble in water. There are a few extra steps in this so that it can be converted into a soluble dye by a process called vatting before you begin creating your men’s tie dye swim trunks. They can be a little expensive, but they have the best longevity.
The first step is the reduction of the dye or vatting. In this process, you have to use a combination of any reducing agent and an alkali. This allows the dye to become water soluble. After this, you can dye your clothes as usual. For the dye to stay in your swim trunks, you’ll need to let it dry completely in the open air. This is because a process called oxidation is necessary for the dye to attach itself to your swim trunks.
Does tie dye come off in the pool?
Tie dye can come off in the pool due to a number of reasons. To prevent the color from fading or coming off, avoid all these mistakes:
Using a cheap and poor quality dye
If you plan to wear your swim trunks frequently, whether it’s pastel or bright, it will come off if you use poor quality dyes. If you plan to wear it once or twice, you can get away with it. However, if you want to wear it for a long time, it is best if you invest in dyes that have good quality.
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Using the incorrect dye
Since swimming trunks are made of synthetic fibers, you’ll need to use a dye that is meant for them, like the ones listed above. If you use a dye that doesn’t support that kind of fabric, if it manages to transfer color, the chlorine will break it down, and it will come off over time. It will also transfer to other clothing while you wash it.
Pink tie dye swim trunks
Chlorine
Choline is added in most swimming pools to keep it from harboring bacteria. Most places do not use anything that is too harsh, so make sure the chlorine you’re using in your pool is not too concentrated as well. Not only does will this cause your tie dye to come off over time, but it could dry out and damage your skin as well. If you want your tie dye to stay in place no matter what, you may want to invest in more expensive dyes that stay put, such as vat dye.
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Sunlight
The sun has the ability to cause most dyes to fade. This includes your tie dyed swim trunks. A good practice is to keep them out of the sun and put them in a dryer when they’re wet. Indoor pools are also a good idea as this prevents too much sun from touching your swim trunks. Staying out of the scorching is good for your health, too, so keeping the color on your tie dyed swim trunks is an added bonus.
Not pretreating before the first wear
A good practice to lock in the color of your tie dye swim trunks is to pretreat them. To do this, add two tablespoons of vinegar to some cold water. Let it soak for about thirty minutes. The vinegar penetrates the swim trunks and seals the color in so that it lasts longer.
How to wash swim trunks after tie dye?
Washing your swim trunks after they have been dyed may seem a little tricky, but this is actually much simpler than you think. You just have to be a little careful, and the color won’t fade too fast. Here are a few tips that will help:
Always pretreat
After dying, make sure that your swim trunks have been pretreated. If you skipped this and it’s time to wash them, pretreat them before washing.
Check if your swim trunks are safe for machine washing
All swim trunks come with a label that explains whether they can be washed in a washing machine or need to be hand washed. Regardless, we recommend that you wash them without one. This is more likely to preserve color as hands are gentler than a washing machine.
Avoid harsh detergents and boosters
Any harsh detergents or ones that contain bleach can cause your swim trunks to bleed. This goes the same for scent boosters or any other washing supplies. Make sure your detergents are free from these so that they can last longer.
Wash them separately
It is best to always wash your tie dyed swim trunks separately. This will prevent your other clothes from ending up pink and purple, and you will be less prone to accidentally using the wrong detergents or water temperature.
Place them in a laundry bag
If you plan to use a washing machine, place your swim trunks in a mesh laundry bag. This prevents it from getting caught anywhere. Along with this, be sure to opt for the gentle or delicate cycle of your washing machine.
Use cold water
Cold water is good for the dye and the material of your swim trunks as well. Hot water makes it more likely for the color to bleed. Never make the mistake of using hot water for your tie dyed swim trunks.
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Conclusion
Now that you know how to dye swim trunks, you can dye as many as you like and show off your unique style. Say goodbye to plain trunks and uplift your closet with tie dyed swim trunks. You’ll have fun creating them and will be the center of attention at every pool party!
Today swim trunks come in a wide range of colors and even patterns. We often get the question: What is the best color for swim trunks? The short answer is that the best color for swim trunks is the color you prefer and enjoy. The longer answer is that there is no such thing as …
When it comes to beachwear, Vilebrequin has undoubtedly established itself as a leading name in the industry. From their iconic turtle-adorned swim trunks to their impeccable craftsmanship, Vilebrequin has earned a well-deserved reputation for creating luxurious and stylish swimwear. However, if you’re looking to explore other swimwear brands that share similar qualities to Vilebrequin, we’ve …
As long as the history of swim trunks goes back, men all over the world have been looking for the best swim trunks. And I’m sure that the search will continue in the future as well. So, what are the best men’s swim trunks? The best men’s swim trunks are a pair of swim trunks …
Has your swim trunk started flattering on your body after one or two wears? While you may decide to get off with a loose swim trunk, you should consider shrinking swim trunks to give it a new lease of life. Usually, when swimming trunks get wet, they tend to lose and feel like falling off. …
How to tie dye swim trunks?
Recently, the trend of tie dying clothes yourself has been on a huge rise. People have been dying every kind of outfit imaginable, like t-shirts, shorts, hoodies, and so much more. The trend became increasingly popular because it creates an intricate and unique pattern on plain clothes and is super affordable to do. Moreover, who doesn’t love a nice DIY project that you can wear and show off? If you want to hop on to the bandwagon, we can help. Want to learn how to die swim trunks? Well, we’ve got you covered!
Stripes 2-Pack Swim Shorts
$80Pineapple Watermelon – Father and Son
$70Kvalitetsaktiepodden x Decisive Beachwear
$65Turtle Matching Couples Swimwear
$80Step by step guide: How to tie dye swim trunks?
I’ve tie-died many clothes before but never swim trunks. However, I have a pair that I’d really like to try it out on. So, the real question is how to tie dye swim trunks? How exactly is it done?
To dye swim trunks you should use a dye that’s made for synthetics. Pour the dye into hot water and then submerge your swim trunks. Let it dye by letting it sit for 30- 60 minutes, then pick the swim trunks up from the water and rinse in cold water.
Let’s see that in an easy list:
1. Heat up a pot of water to just below boiling temperature
2. Crinkle your swim trunks into a ball and put rubber bands around it
3. Add dye to the almost boiling water. Follow the instructions on the bottle
4. Add in your swim trunks
5. Wait for 30-60 minutes
6. Take your swim trunks out and rinse them in cold water until no more dye comes out (the water should be clear)
7. Remove the rubber bands
In this post, we’ll go through the different questions you might have when dying swim trunks.
What dye should I use for swim trunks?
The most crucial aspect while dying your swim trucks is the type of dye you use. This will determine how well the color is transferred onto the swim trunks along with the longevity. There are multiple dyes that you can use for swim trunks depending on the final outcome that you are expecting. Here are a few options that you can try. All of these work well with the swim trunks from Decisive Beachwear. Remember that a general rule of thumb is to wash your swim trunks before you begin the dying process.
For swim trunks we recommend going with a quality dye like Rit
Not sure what material your swim trunks are? Read our guide on swim trunks materials here.
Stripes 2-Pack Swim Shorts
$80Pineapple Watermelon – Father and Son
$70Kvalitetsaktiepodden x Decisive Beachwear
$65Turtle Matching Couples Swimwear
$80Acid dyes
Acid dyes will give you the most long lasting result with vibrant colors. Make sure to read the label of the acid dye you bought to double check whether it supports swimwear or not. If you plan to dye something that already has a color, try to pick out a dye that is darker. Any dyes lighter than your swim trunk’s color is unlikely to show up.
Disperse Dyes
Disperse dyes were created specifically for synthetic fibers. This is what swim trunks are made out of. They do have a few extra steps, but the results are definitely worth it. The only additional step is that you have to soak your swim trunks in warm water and add soda ash. Mix this for around ten minutes as the soda ash dissolves. You can substitute the soda ash with synthrapol or any other agent that will help the dye set into synthetic fibers.
While using dispersed dyes, make sure you use rubber gloves and have a face mask and apron on. Along with this, pick a room that is ventilated well, or take your DIY project outside for extra safety.
Kvalitetsaktiepodden x Decisive Beachwear
$65Blue Striped Matching Couples Swimwear
$80Flamingo swim shorts
Turtle Matching Couples Swimwear
$80Vat dyes
These dyes are natural and insoluble in water. There are a few extra steps in this so that it can be converted into a soluble dye by a process called vatting before you begin creating your men’s tie dye swim trunks. They can be a little expensive, but they have the best longevity.
The first step is the reduction of the dye or vatting. In this process, you have to use a combination of any reducing agent and an alkali. This allows the dye to become water soluble. After this, you can dye your clothes as usual. For the dye to stay in your swim trunks, you’ll need to let it dry completely in the open air. This is because a process called oxidation is necessary for the dye to attach itself to your swim trunks.
Does tie dye come off in the pool?
Tie dye can come off in the pool due to a number of reasons. To prevent the color from fading or coming off, avoid all these mistakes:
Using a cheap and poor quality dye
If you plan to wear your swim trunks frequently, whether it’s pastel or bright, it will come off if you use poor quality dyes. If you plan to wear it once or twice, you can get away with it. However, if you want to wear it for a long time, it is best if you invest in dyes that have good quality.
Stripes 2-Pack Swim Shorts
$80Pineapple Watermelon – Father and Son
$70Kvalitetsaktiepodden x Decisive Beachwear
$65Turtle Matching Couples Swimwear
$80Using the incorrect dye
Since swimming trunks are made of synthetic fibers, you’ll need to use a dye that is meant for them, like the ones listed above. If you use a dye that doesn’t support that kind of fabric, if it manages to transfer color, the chlorine will break it down, and it will come off over time. It will also transfer to other clothing while you wash it.
Chlorine
Choline is added in most swimming pools to keep it from harboring bacteria. Most places do not use anything that is too harsh, so make sure the chlorine you’re using in your pool is not too concentrated as well. Not only does will this cause your tie dye to come off over time, but it could dry out and damage your skin as well. If you want your tie dye to stay in place no matter what, you may want to invest in more expensive dyes that stay put, such as vat dye.
Turtle Palm – Father and Son
$68Stripes 2-Pack Swim Shorts
$80Pineapple Watermelon Swim Shorts
Sea
$60Sunlight
The sun has the ability to cause most dyes to fade. This includes your tie dyed swim trunks. A good practice is to keep them out of the sun and put them in a dryer when they’re wet. Indoor pools are also a good idea as this prevents too much sun from touching your swim trunks. Staying out of the scorching is good for your health, too, so keeping the color on your tie dyed swim trunks is an added bonus.
Not pretreating before the first wear
A good practice to lock in the color of your tie dye swim trunks is to pretreat them. To do this, add two tablespoons of vinegar to some cold water. Let it soak for about thirty minutes. The vinegar penetrates the swim trunks and seals the color in so that it lasts longer.
How to wash swim trunks after tie dye?
Washing your swim trunks after they have been dyed may seem a little tricky, but this is actually much simpler than you think. You just have to be a little careful, and the color won’t fade too fast. Here are a few tips that will help:
Always pretreat
After dying, make sure that your swim trunks have been pretreated. If you skipped this and it’s time to wash them, pretreat them before washing.
Check if your swim trunks are safe for machine washing
All swim trunks come with a label that explains whether they can be washed in a washing machine or need to be hand washed. Regardless, we recommend that you wash them without one. This is more likely to preserve color as hands are gentler than a washing machine.
Avoid harsh detergents and boosters
Any harsh detergents or ones that contain bleach can cause your swim trunks to bleed. This goes the same for scent boosters or any other washing supplies. Make sure your detergents are free from these so that they can last longer.
Wash them separately
It is best to always wash your tie dyed swim trunks separately. This will prevent your other clothes from ending up pink and purple, and you will be less prone to accidentally using the wrong detergents or water temperature.
Place them in a laundry bag
If you plan to use a washing machine, place your swim trunks in a mesh laundry bag. This prevents it from getting caught anywhere. Along with this, be sure to opt for the gentle or delicate cycle of your washing machine.
Use cold water
Cold water is good for the dye and the material of your swim trunks as well. Hot water makes it more likely for the color to bleed. Never make the mistake of using hot water for your tie dyed swim trunks.
If you want to better understand how to wash your swim trunks in general please see out guide on how to wash swim trunks
Kvalitetsaktiepodden x Decisive Beachwear
$65Blue Striped Matching Couples Swimwear
$80Flamingo swim shorts
Turtle Matching Couples Swimwear
$80Conclusion
Now that you know how to dye swim trunks, you can dye as many as you like and show off your unique style. Say goodbye to plain trunks and uplift your closet with tie dyed swim trunks. You’ll have fun creating them and will be the center of attention at every pool party!
Bestsellers
Pineapple Watermelon Swim Shorts
Kvalitetsaktiepodden x Decisive Beachwear
$65Flamingo swim shorts
Tropical 2-Pack Swim Shorts
Flamingo swim shorts
Turtle Matching Couples Swimwear
$80Turtle Palm Swim Shorts
$60Mint Striped Swim Shorts
$60$36
Read more
I’ll write about anything and everything related to swimwear!
Related Posts
Best colors for swim trunks
Today swim trunks come in a wide range of colors and even patterns. We often get the question: What is the best color for swim trunks? The short answer is that the best color for swim trunks is the color you prefer and enjoy. The longer answer is that there is no such thing as …
12 Brands Similar to Vilebrequin (alternatives)
When it comes to beachwear, Vilebrequin has undoubtedly established itself as a leading name in the industry. From their iconic turtle-adorned swim trunks to their impeccable craftsmanship, Vilebrequin has earned a well-deserved reputation for creating luxurious and stylish swimwear. However, if you’re looking to explore other swimwear brands that share similar qualities to Vilebrequin, we’ve …
Best men’s swim trunks
As long as the history of swim trunks goes back, men all over the world have been looking for the best swim trunks. And I’m sure that the search will continue in the future as well. So, what are the best men’s swim trunks? The best men’s swim trunks are a pair of swim trunks …
Shrink Swim Trunks
Has your swim trunk started flattering on your body after one or two wears? While you may decide to get off with a loose swim trunk, you should consider shrinking swim trunks to give it a new lease of life. Usually, when swimming trunks get wet, they tend to lose and feel like falling off. …