Tie Dye Shoes – How to Tie Dye Sneakers
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Daniela Kretchmer
- Updated: Oct 27, 2023
- Accessory, Clothing, Dyeing, Tie Dye
Learn how to tie dye shoes in just a few steps. It’s easy to make your own tie dye sneakers, Converse, or any canvas shoes.
With the tie dye craze continuing, I simply had to make some tie dye shoes. I actually got a few pairs of canvas shoes so I can dye them or do different crafts with them. But to start I want to try making my own tie dye sneakers. I’ve seen tie dye Converse or tie dye Skechers or similar brands making their own tie dye versions, but they’re just using an image of tie dye. So the question is how do you tie dye shoes to make them actually look like they were tie dyed?
I therefore made these in a similar way as to how I made my tie dye Crocs. There isn’t any actual tying involved, but the effect of swirling colors and pops of white is still there. You could also use the ice tie dye method as a different technique.
Note: Some links in this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no cost to you, I may earn a commission.
What Types of Shoes Are Best to Tie Dye?
For this method to tie dye shoes, you want to use white shoes and make sure they’re 100% cotton or at least above 60%. Most canvas sneakers such as Converse, Toms, Keds, and canvas Skechers shoes are 100% cotton. The canvas part will be cotton, but look for other areas that aren’t (for example the toes, sides, and laces). Anything that isn’t cotton will likely not get dyed.
If you want to tie dye plastic or other synthetic shoes you’ll need to use synthetic dye. To dye plastic shoes and get pastel colors, see my tutorial to make pastel tie dye Crocs. Then you can also use the bleach tie dye method to dye colored shoes.
For the shape of shoe, all will work as long as they’re canvas! So you can make tie dye slippers, tie dye high tops, or classic tie dye sneakers.
Be sure to pin it to come back to it later!
Materials for Tie Dye Shoes
- White Converse (Amazon) or another White Canvas Shoe (these are similar to the ones I used)
- Tie Dye Kit (I recommend this one or you can see my full list of the best tie dye kits)
- Soda Ash (if the kit doesn’t have soda ash) – Amazon
- Shaving Cream (Amazon)
- Recycled Plastic Shopping Bags
- Bowl
- Empty Containers
- Plastic Spoons
- Plastic Wrap
How to Tie Dye Shoes
Prepare the Sneakers to be Tie Dyed
Start by removing the laces.
I also ended up removing the soles in mine as I wanted to make sure no dye got on them. So that’s something you could consider doing as well. (These are similar to the ones I used)
Mix together 1 gallon of warm water with 1 cup of soda ash (Amazon). Stir it until the soda ash is completely dissolved.
Soak the shoes and laces in the soda ash mixture for 20 minutes. (I know my laces are off to the side, but I did remember to soak them).
Now it’s time to do the reuse part of reduce, reuse, recycle.
Take some plastic shopping bags and stuff the shoes with them. This will help prevent the tongue or sides of the shoe from falling in on itself. You want to make sure all parts of the shoes are supported or they might not get any dye on them.
Prepare the Tie Dye
Fill a bowl with shaving cream and add in a little bit of water. Stir it together and continue to add small amounts of water until you get a thick milk shake or whipped cream consistency. Basically you want to be able to work with it and spread it, but not have it be runny.
Prepare the dyes according to the instructions on the tie dye kit. This is likely by filling the bottles with warm water and shaking them until the dye is dissolved.
Pour some dye into a container and mix in some of the shaving cream mixture. Continue to add shaving cream until the dye is thick.
Repeat the process for each color of dye. For my tie dye sneakers, I used yellow, blue, and pink.
Create the Tie Dye Shoes Design
Lay two sections of plastic wrap. Make sure they are big enough to fit around your shoes. Leave extra room for the shaving cream. You’ll likely need to overlap layers.
Spread the shaving cream mixture into a rectangle. Again, make sure it’s big enough to go all around your shoe.
Place the dye and shaving mixtures all over the shaving cream. You can make whatever design you’d like. I was originally trying to go for a star look, but it didn’t turn out at all. If anything, I would just go for random drops of dye.
If you want to have your shoes completely covered in dye, make sure the shaving cream is completely covered. For a more classic tie dye look though, leave some spaces of white.
To make matching tie dye shoes try to place the dye in the same places or mirrored.
Then use the back of a spoon and swirl the dye to help mix the colors.
Once you’re happy with your design, place your shoe face down into the dye. Lift up the sides of the plastic wrap, making sure to push the shaving cream against the shoe.
Tip: Wiggle the shoe around a bit in the shaving cream to smear the colors more. With this pair of tie dye sneakers, I wish I had smeared the dye more to get more blending.
Then wrap the shoe completely in plastic wrap. I ended up putting another sheet over it to make sure it didn’t leak.
Repeat the process on the other shoe.
Tip: Flip the shoes upright to set. Press all around to make sure the shaving cream is covering all of the shoe. Now’s the time to do any last minute smearing of colors as well.
Make the Tie Dye Shoelaces
For the shoelaces, you can either leave them white or make tie dye shoelaces to match the shoes. The one challenge is whether your shoelaces are synthetic or not. Turns out, mine were so the dye washed out so I ended up with white laces anyways.
But in case yours are cotton and want to dye them, this is a method you can use to make rainbow tie dye shoelaces.
Place the shoelaces on plastic wrap and drop dye randomly on them.
Fold over the plastic and use your fingers to smear and mix the dye.
Repeat the process adding more dye until you like how the laces look.
Set and Wash the Tie Dye Sneakers and Shoelaces
Let the dye set for at least 6 hours, but I always recommend a full 24 hours. I also suggest putting them on some plastic wrap or in a container in case they leak.
Some of the shaving cream will evaporate off the tie dye sneakers so they’ll look a bit like this.
Then rinse them until the water runs clear. Then throw them in the washing machine and dryer with a couple towels so they don’t damage the machine.
Now your tie dye shoes are ready to wear! If you make your own, I’d love to see them. Tag me on Instagram @ab.crafty!
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And here’s what the other side looks like. Love the 1980s style mixed with the tie dye! These would also be cute with some of the best slip on shoes.
And from the front!
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Tie Dye Shoes
Learn how to tie dye shoes in just a few steps. It’s easy to make your own tie dye sneakers, Converse, or any canvas shoes.
Materials
- 1 Pair White Canvas Shoe
- Tie Dye Kit
- Soda Ash if the kit doesn't have soda ash
- Shaving Cream
- Water
- Recycled Plastic Shopping Bags
- Plastic Wrap
Equipment
- Empty Containers
- Bowl
- Plastic Spoons
Instructions
Prepare the Shoes
- Remove the laces from the shoes and soak them in a soda ash mixture (1 gallon of water with 1 cup of soda ash)1 Pair White Canvas Shoe, Soda Ash
- Fill the shoes with plastic bagsRecycled Plastic Shopping Bags
Prepare the Dyes
- Fill a bowl with shaving cream and add in a little bit of water until it's the consistency of whipped creamShaving Cream, Water
- Prepare the dyes according to the package instructions. This is likely by filling the bottles with warm water and shaking them until the dye is dissolved.Pour some dye into a container and mix in some of the shaving cream mixture. Continue to add shaving cream until the dye is thick.Tie Dye Kit
Create the Tie Dye Shoes Design
- Lay two sections of plastic wrap and spread the shaving cream mixture onto it.Plastic Wrap
- Place the dye and shaving mixtures all over the shaving cream.
- Use the back of a spoon and swirl the dye to help mix the colors.
- Place the shoe upside down into the shaving cream. Wrap it in the plastic, smearing and pushing the dye onto the shoe.
- Repeat the process with the other shoe and wrap them in plastic wrap.
Make the Tie Dye Shoelaces
- Place the shoelaces on plastic wrap and drop dye randomly on them.
- Fold over the plastic and use your fingers to smear and mix the dye.
- Repeat the process adding more dye until you like how the laces look.
- Let the dye set for at least 6 hours, but I always recommend a full 24 hours. Then rinse them until they run clear and wash them in the washing machine and dryer with some towels so they don't damage the machines.
Daniela Kretchmer
Daniela is a lifelong crafter who loves to share her passion for crafting. Through classes or learning on her own, she likes to say she'll do pretty much any craft aside from scrapbooking. Her current personal obsessions include garden crafts, felting, and spinning yarn.
4 thoughts on “Tie Dye Shoes – How to Tie Dye Sneakers”
Best instructions and results I have seen so far!
Thanks so much! I hope to see yours soon!
How did you keep your rubber soles from being dyed? I like that look
Because the soles are made of a synthetic material, the dye won’t adhere to it. Therefore you don’t have to do anything to protect them!