Create a Stunning DIY Ombre Rope Dog Leash for Under $30

a pink ombre rope dog leash laying in a circle on a white background

Getting a stylish rope dog leash shouldn’t break the bank, especially when you can create a unique DIY ombre rope dog leash at home.

Rope dog leashes have become popular, but the cost of purchasing one online can be a bit steep, often topping $75 on sites like Etsy. Luckily, you can craft your own for about $30 with just a few supplies.

With a DIY approach, you have the freedom to choose your favorite colors and create a beautiful ombre effect. I ended up choosing a magenta gradient, but the color scheme is entirely up to you. Feel free to use different colors as I think those come out adorable too.

a pink ombre dog leash laying in a circle on a white background with a bottle of rit dye laying on top of it

Materials for the DIY Ombre Rope Dog Leash

To get started, you’ll only need a few materials like a plain white rope leash, Rit Fabric Dye, salt, and a plastic bucket. I will say, I purchased a plain white rope dog leash because I wanted to ensure it was sturdy and safe to walk my dog. So, I am not teaching you how to MAKE the leash, I am showing you how to dye it ombre.

If you would like to actually MAKE the leash (from scratch), you can check out this rope leash tutorial from liagriffith.com. My dogs “pull” on walks, so again, I felt more comfortable purchasing one. But, if you have a smaller dog that doesn’t tend to pull on walks, making your own could be a fun option. After you make your leash, come back to my tutorial on how to ombre it.

Disclosure: This content may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on them, I may get a commission (without any extra cost to you).

Materials:

Plain White Rope Dog Leash (this is the exact one I used for this tutorial)
RIT Fabric Dye (I used petal pink but they have many different color options)
Salt
Plastic Bucket (I bought mine at Dollar Tree)
Heavy-Duty Gloves (You can also buy at the Dollar Tree)
Wooden Stirring Stick
Old Towel (make sure you don’t mind if it gets some dye on it)

a before and after photo showing the dog leash before which looks plain white and after which is pink and a gradient ombre effect

How to Make your DIY Ombre Rope Dog Leash

Preparation Step

Soak the Rope:
- Completely submerge the leash in water until fully saturated. This step ensures even dye coverage across the rope fibers. Leave it in the plain water for about a minute or so.
- Make sure to lay out old towels or trash bags over your working space since you will be messing with dye.

Dyeing Process for the Ombre Rope Dog Leash

Mix the Dye:
- Fill a bucket with hot water (approximately half-gallon). I just used hot water from the kitchen sink.
- Add about half a bottle of your chosen RIT fabric dye to the plain hot water. I used the liquid form of RIT. If you have the powder form, follow the dye instructions on the back of the bottle.
- Use the wooden stirring stick to mix the water and dye until the solution is even.
Create the Ombre Effect:

First Section: Dip the first third of the leash into the dye solution for 80 minutes to achieve the darkest shade.
Second Section: Immerse the next third for 25 minutes to create a medium hue.
Final Section: Submerge the last section for 5 minutes for the lightest shade.
These times are not an exact science. These are what worked for me, but play around with it until you achieve your desired results.

Post-Dye Treatment

Set the Dye:
- After removing the leash from the dye, replace the dye solution with fresh water.
- Dissolve half a cup of salt in this new water.
- Soak the entire leash in the saltwater bath for about a minute to help lock in the color.

Drying your Leash

Dry the Leash:
- Spread the leash on an old towel or a thick layer of paper towels.
- Allow it to dry completely for 24-48 hours to ensure the dye sets properly and the colors are vibrant and distinct.

Pro Tips and “FIYs” for Best Results

Use Hot Water. Hot water will work much better than cold.
Timing is Crucial. Carefully monitor the time each section spends in the dye for a smooth gradient transition. I set a timer on my phone and would check on the rope half way through each allotted time.
Don’t Skip the Gloves: Seriously, unless you want pink hands for 2 weeks. Wear. the. gloves.
Don’t Forget the Setting Process. The salt will help the dye from running so don’t skip the salt bath as the last step before leaving your leash out to dry.
Give it time to DRY. I know you are probably excited about using your new leash but leave it alone until it is fully dried. This took mine about 48 hours.
The Colors WILL become more vibrant as it dries. I was concerned that all my color gradients looked too similar while it was wet. Don’t stress, the colors will become much more vibrant and noticeably different as it dries.