How to Tie Dye Shoelaces

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Though expressions like groovy and far out lost popularity decades ago, the colorful, retro flair of tie-dye has timeless appeal. A pair of tie-dyed shoelaces is enough to liven up a pair of sneakers without overwhelming your outfit and a whimsical way to express your individual style. Whether you want an entire rainbow on your feet, or just a couple of colors, start with 100 percent white cotton laces for the best results.

Step 1

Lay plastic bags or newspapers over your work area to protect against spills.

Step 2

Wet the shoelaces in clean water, then squeeze out excess moisture. This aids in color absorption.

Step 3

Tie loose knots in the shoelaces every inch or so or cinch loops in the laces at 1-inch intervals with rubber bands. Set laces aside.

Step 4

Put on rubber gloves to keep your skin and fingernails free of dye.

Step 5

Mix each color of dye in a separate container. Start with a 50/50 mix of water and food color, dye, or fabric paint; 1 tablespoon of each should be sufficient. If the resulting color is too light, add more color; if too dark, add more water.

Step 6

Lower a knotted portion or loop of your laces into one dye container and hold in place for a few seconds until desired color is achieved.

Step 7

Continue to lower different sections of your shoelaces into different containers of dye until you are satisfied with the pattern.

Step 8

Lay the shoelaces flat on a plastic bag to dry.

Step 9

Untie the knots or remove the rubber bands only when the shoelaces are completely dry.