Natural Dyeing with Kitchen Scraps: Eco-Friendly Colour from Household Waste

Natural dyeing is an age-old craft experiencing a modern resurgence among eco-conscious crafters. Using natural dyes from food, like onion skins, avocado pits, and tea leaves, offers a sustainable, affordable way to create vibrant, unique colours. Not only does this practice reduce waste, but it also aligns with environmental values while allowing artisans to create bespoke designs.

This article explores the joy of turning kitchen scraps into natural fabric dyes from plants, perfect for dyeing fibres and yarns to achieve stunning results. Let’s dive into this creative, hands-on process and explore how to dye clothes without fabric dye, using homemade dye instead.

Why Use Kitchen Scraps in Natural Dyeing?

Dyeing with kitchen scraps is not just eco-friendly; it’s a creative way to connect with nature and your materials. By repurposing waste, you avoid synthetic chemicals and reduce your environmental footprint while saving money. Kitchen scraps yield surprising hues, from soft pastels to vibrant tones, and provide an opportunity to experiment with colours that reflect your personal style. Whether you’re an experienced dyer or a beginner, the process is rewarding and full of delightful surprises.

Common Kitchen Scraps for Dyeing

Discover the wide range of colours you can achieve with everyday household waste. Below is a curated list of common kitchen scraps, their associated colours, and tips for collecting and storing them.

Onion Skins

• Colours: Yellow onion skins produce vibrant yellows and golden-orange hues, while red onion skins create rich earthy browns, orange tones and even greens depending on choice of mordant.
• Collection and Storage: When peeling onions, save the outer papery layers and store them in a dry jar or paper bag. Onion skins are an excellent choice for beginners.

Avocado Pits and Skins

• Colours: Soft pinks and peach tones.
• Collection and Storage:: Clean pits and skins thoroughly to prevent spoilage. Store them in an airtight container and freeze until ready to use.

Red Cabbage

• Colours: Purples and blues, depending on the pH of the dye bath.
• Collection and Storage: Save the outer leaves and scraps, refrigerate for short-term use, or freeze for later.

Coffee Grounds

• Colours: Warm brown tones.
• Collection and Storage: Collect used coffee grounds, dry them thoroughly, and then store themin an airtight container to prevent mould.

Tea Bags

• Colours: Light beige to warm brown, depending on tea type.
• Collection and Storage: Dry used tea bags and store them in a jar for future dyeing projects.

Turmeric Scraps

• Colours: Vibrant yellows and golden hues.
• Collection and Storage: Use turmeric peels or small pieces immediately or dry them for future use.

Pomegranate Skins

• Colours: Subtle yellow to greenish tones.
• Collection and Storage: Dry skins completely and store them in a jar. They’re ideal for creating layered or muted colours.

Spinach Leaves

• Colours: Light green tones (yellowish if alum is used as a mordant).
• Collection and Storage: Use wilted spinach or freeze for long-term storage.

Citrus Peels (Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit)

• Colours: Pale yellow to soft orange.
• Collection and Storage: Remove pith, dry peels thoroughly, and store in an airtight container.

Walnut Shells

• Colours: Deep brown tones.
• Collection and Storage: Dry shells after cracking nuts and store them in an airtight jar.

Carrot Tops or Scraps

• Colours: Soft green hues.
• Collection and Storage: Use leftover carrot greens and peels, refrigerating or freezing for later projects.

Fibres and Yarns for Natural Dyeing

For successful dyeing, it's important to select natural fibres, as they have a remarkable ability to absorb and hold onto colours beautifully. These fibres not only enhance the vibrancy of your dyes but also ensure a lasting finish. Here are some excellent options to consider for your natural dyeing projects:

Full Circle Fibres Raw Cotton DK Yarn

Lightweight and soft, this yarn is ideal as a base for vibrant colours and vegan-friendly projects. Perfect for garments and home decor items.

Swiss Mountain Spun Silk Yarn

Luxurious and glossy, spun silk holds dyes exceptionally well, making it perfect for elegant projects like scarves or embroidery threads.

Ashford Merino Superwash Wool

Soft, durable, and beginner-friendly, this wool is ideal for vibrant, easy-care projects such as socks or sweaters.

Ashford White Alpaca Sliver

Ultra-soft and lightweight, this fibre is perfect for muted tones in luxurious projects like felted garments or shawls.

Ashford White Natural Corriedale Wool

Slightly coarser, this fibre is excellent for structural projects like bags and rugs, with its natural crimp enhancing colour absorption.

Step-by-Step Guide to Natural Dyeing Using Kitchen Scraps

With this simple guide, you can turn everyday kitchen scraps into beautiful, eco-friendly colours. It's an easy and fun way to try natural dyeing and add a personal touch to your projects. Whether you're just starting out or already love crafting, you'll be amazed at what you can create from leftovers!

1. Prepare Materials Needed

• Natural fibres or yarns.
• Kitchen scraps for dyeing.
• Mordants like alum (optional, for brighter or longer-lasting colours).
• Large pots, strainers, and a clean workspace.
• Safety equipment such as gloves, masks, and safety glasses.
• Notebook and pen to keep records.
• Scales

2. Weighing Your Fibre and Dye Ingredients

Before you begin dyeing, it’s crucial to weigh your fibre while it’s dry and record the weight. This will be your starting point for determining the amount of mordant (if you're using one) and dye materials you'll need. The ratio of fibre to dye materials is based on this weight, so it’s a necessary step.

For optimum results, you might need to experiment with different amounts of dye material. A good rule of thumb is to start with a dye quantity equal to 50% to 100% of the fibre weight. For example, if you have 100g of wool yarn, you could begin by using either 50g (50% of WOF) or 100g (100% of WOF) of onion skins, depending on how vibrant or subtle you want the colour to be.

3. Mordanting Yarn with Alum: A Step-by-Step Guide

A mordant helps the dye adhere to the fibres and ensures the colour lasts longer. Different fibres and dye materials require different mordants, so it's a good idea to research the best mordant and its recommended quantity for the specific combination you're working with. One of the most commonly used mordants is alum, but each fibre and dye material might need a different approach. Make sure to research guidelines for your chosen materials to get the best results. The following is an example of mordanting with Alum at 15% WOF:

1. Calculate the Alum: For every 100g of fibre, measure out 15g of alum (which is 15% of the weight of your yarn).
2. Dissolve the Alum: In a separate container, dissolve the alum in hot water. Stir the mixture to help the alum dissolve completely. You want a clear, smooth solution.
3. Prepare the Yarn: Wet your yarn thoroughly with warm water. This helps the mordant soak into the fibres more evenly.
4. Add the Yarn to the Pot: Place the wet yarn into a large pot filled with the alum solution. Make sure the yarn is fully submerged.
5. Soak the Yarn: Let the yarn soak in the mordant solution for 1–2 hours, or, if you have the time, leave it overnight for better absorption.
6. Heat the Mordant and Yarn: Heat the pot gently, bringing the water to a temperature of around 87–93ºC. This is just below boiling, so use a thermometer to monitor the temperature. Keep it at this heat for 45 minutes, stirring gently every so often to ensure even distribution of the mordant.
7. Rinse or Dye: Once the time is up, you can either rinse the yarn in cool water or proceed directly to dyeing. If you prefer a deeper colour, you can leave the yarn to steep in the mordant solution for 8–24 hours before rinsing and dyeing.

4. Preparing the Dye Bath

1. Place scraps in a large pot, covering them with water.
2. Simmer gently for 30-60 minutes to extract pigments.
3. Strain the liquid to create a smooth dye bath.

5. Dyeing the Fibres

1. Pre-wash/Mordant fibres to remove impurities.
2. Immerse fibres in the dye bath.
3. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally. Experiment with times for different shades. It is important that you do not boil the fibre as the agitation will cause felting.
4. Test colours on small swatches before dyeing the entire piece.

6. Rinse and Dry

1. Rinse dyed fibres in cool water until they run clear.
2. Hang to dry, noting that colours may lighten as they dry.

Further Learning and Resources

Take your natural dyeing journey further with these helpful resources packed with tips and inspiration to help you level up your skills and explore new ideas:

• Books: Journeys in Natural Dyeing, Natural Color, True Colors, The Modern Natural Dyer
• Community: Australian Weavers & Fibre Artists
• Blogs: Introduction to Natural Dyeing, Hand Dyeing for Beginners Guide

Project Ideas for Natural Dyeing

With natural dyeing, you can easily transform everyday kitchen scraps into beautiful, eco-friendly colours. It's a fun and simple way to add a personal touch to your projects while being kind to the planet. Whether you're just starting out or already love crafting, you'll be amazed at the creative pieces you can make from leftovers! Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

• Tie-Dye Scarves
  Use vibrant scraps like onion skins or red cabbage to create bold, striking patterns. Lightweight fibres such as Swiss Mountain Silk - Silk/Cotton Yarn are perfect for weaving scarves before dyeing them.
• Tote Bags
  Experiment with earthy tones from coffee grounds or tea bags to make eco-friendly, reusable bags. Personalise them further with embroidery or stamping for a unique touch.
• Pillowcases
  Achieve soft pastels using avocado pits or spinach leaves for a cozy, natural vibe in your home decor. Try shibori folding techniques to create beautiful, elegant patterns.
• Wall Hangings
  Combine dyed fibres like Ashford White Alpaca Sliver with weaving or felting techniques to craft statement wall hangings. Layering different colours can create dynamic, eye-catching effects.

Create Vibrant Colours, Naturally

Natural dyeing with kitchen scraps is a joyful, eco-friendly way to create stunning colours. Explore Thread Collective’s range of undyed fibres and raw yarns to start your journey and bring your creative visions to life.

We’d love to see what you create. Share your colourful masterpieces by tagging us on social media or joining our vibrant Facebook group, Australian Weavers & Fibre Artists, where you can connect with a community of like-minded artisans who value sustainability and creativity. Together, let’s turn household waste into vibrant, artistic treasures and inspire others to do the same!