Natural Dyes

Sodium hydroxide - also known as caustic soda. Lye is a strong alkali used with vat dyes and indigo. Wear protective clothing when mixing lye and have good ventilation. Always add lye to cold water rather than the other way around. This chemical is...

Madder – Rubia tinctorium, Rubia cordifolia, and Morinda citrifolia is one of the oldest dyestuffs. It is frequently used to produce turkey reds, mulberry, orange-red, terra cotta, and in combination with other dyes and dyeing procedures can yield...

Madder – Rubia tinctorium, Rubia cordifolia, and Morinda citrifolia. Madder is one of the oldest dyestuffs known. It is most frequently used to produce turkey reds, mulberry, orange-red, terracotta, and in combination with other...

Marigold - This dyestuff consists of dried and ground flower heads of the Tagetes species. It yields rich vibrant yellows, green-yellows and oranges with 20 -30% dried marigold to wof. Marigold is cultivated all over the world for its decorative flowers,...

Chestnut trees grow in many parts of the world and contain a great source of tannin. They dye a warm brown colour. This dye is also well known for it’s ability to dye silk black with the addition of logwood and an iron mordant. Dyeing: Use extract...

Cochineal – is the most important of the insect dyes and comes from the bodies of female insects of the species Dactylopius. These live on the prickly pear (nopal) cactus which is native to Mexico, Central and South America and the Canary Islands...

Myrobalan - This dyestuff consists of ground nuts of the Terminalia chebula tree. This tree grows in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Indochina and South China. It may be classed as both a mordant and a dye, giving a light buttery yellow when...

Pomegranate - An extract from the rinds of pomegranates (Punica granatum), this dyestuff is high in tannin and improves the light and washfastnes of any dye with which it is mixed. In India and Southeast Asia it is used as both a dye and a mordant...

Weld or Dyer’s weed has been used as a dyeplant for many centuries in the Mediterranean, Europe and North Africa. It has been a long time favourite yellow due to its intense colour which has excellent lightfastness. Dyeing: Use extract on...

Safflower – Carthamus tinctorious, is an annual thistle. This plant is most known for the oil that can be derived from it’s seeds, however, the petals are a most magical dyestuff. Yellows, surprisingly sharp pinks, orange-reds, and...