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Natural Fabric Dye | How to Utilize Food Scraps
This Earth Day DIY project can be accomplished with things you already have in your home and kitchen. It's a great way to upcycle and give new life to clothing you no longer wear.
Prep Time
2
hours
hrs
Cook Time
2
hours
hrs
Total Time
4
hours
hrs
Author:
Jenné
Equipment
1 Stove
1 Kitchen scale
Ingredients
1
Stainless steel stock pot
1
Wooden or stainless steel spoon
1+
cups
food scraps
separated by type. You'll need double the amount of water.
Alum
10-20% of dried fabric weight
Instructions
Mordant
Measure alum amount in grams based on dry weight of fabric.
Bring large pot to a boil; carefully remove some hot water and dissolve the mordant, then add back to the pot.
Reduce heat and add fabric. Simmer for an hour, then carefully remove fabric to let cool.
Note: You can save the water and add food scraps for an even stronger colored dye since there is already mordant in it.
Dyeing with black beans
Cover black beans with double the amount of water. Soak for 48 hours.
Remove black beans with slotted spoon. If these haven't started to ferment, you can cook them and eat them. Otherwise, compost the beans.
At this point you can add a small amount of alum dissolved in warm water for a richer color. Otherwise, this is a cold dye process.
Add fabric to water and let soak until desired color is reached.
Dyeing with dried hibiscus
In a sauce pan, add a generous amount of dried hibiscus and water as if making tea.
Simmer until desired color is reached. Strain and compost dried hibiscus, or reuse for tea.
Add fabric to dye pot. Let soak until desired color is reached.
Dyeing with yellow onion
Peel the outer, papery layer of the onion. Refrigerate or cook with the onion!
Add the skins to a pot of water and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer.
Add fabric to dye pot. Let soak until desired color is reached.
Rinsing the fabric
Rinse the fabric in cold water until the water runs clear. Hang to dry.
Further set the dye by ironing or drying in dryer for a few minutes.
Enjoy your upcycled clothes!