Make Your Own Natural Dyes
BY MADISON HRYSKO, GROUP FOR THE EAST END ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATE
Who knew creating natural dyes could be so easy, and great for the environment, too?! Berries, plants, vegetables, spices, and other things found in nature can be used to create beautiful dyes. Natural dyes have been around for thousands of years, one of the oldest being indigo, which comes from India. However, with the mass production and convenience of synthetic dye, natural dye has decreased in popularity in the United States. Benefits of switching to natural dyes include that they are biodegradable and nontoxic, making them safe for the whole family and safe for the environment. It’s also fun to get creative, try new things and learn something new!
Color and natural ingredient guide:
Chopped beats (4 cups): deep red/dark pink
Yellow onion skins (4 cups): orange
Red onion skins (6 onions): deep red
Paprika (4 tablespoons): light orange
Purple cabbage (3 cups): light blue
Blueberries (4 cups): dark blue
Black tea bags (3 bags), no vinegar: burnt orange
Cumin (3 tablespoons): yellow
Coffee (2 cups brewed coffee): brown
How-to:
Add one quart of water and two tablespoons of white vinegar in a medium pot and bring it to a boil. Once the water and vinegar combination is boiling, add in the natural ingredients to create your dye solution. Lower the heat once the ingredient of your choice has been added and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Let it cool and strain to remove any solid fragments. Once cooled you’ll have a natural dye which can be used for fabrics, crafts, or eggs around the holidays!
I encourage you to experiment with new materials that you have around you house or that you find in nature. Altering the amount of water in combination with the ‘colors’ will change the pigmentation of the dye. Share your creations with us by tagging us @groupfortheeastend on Instagram or email us a photo at info@eastendenvironment.org.
Happy Spring!