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Loading...How to Dye Fabric with Food
- Becky Striepe
- May 22, 2012
- 5:05 pm
- 30 comments
If you’re looking for sustainable fabrics for sewing, chances are you know that conventional cotton is a no-no, and you probably shy away from petroleum-based fabrics like polyester, but what about the dyes that give all of those fabrics their vibrant colors?
Luckily, many organic fabric-makers already use dyes that are far superior to conventional fabric dye. Fiber reactive dyes, for example, are much easier for fabrics to absorb, which means less pollution in the waste water from the dye process.
Water pollution is one of the major problems with many fabric dyes. After clothing goes through the dye bath, companies need to dispose of all of that water. In China, the Pearl River is heavily polluted because denim factories have been dumping their waste water there for years. Here’s a video that illustrates how much damage conventional dye processes can do:
So, how can you opt out of this process? If you’re a crafter, one sustainable (and fun!) option is to dye your own fabric at home with natural, food-based dyes that you make yourself. If you’ve never tried making your own fabric dyes, don’t fret! Check out the next page for basic instructions and some ideas for kitchen ingredients that make the best fabric dyes.
Next>> How to make food-based fabric dye
Read more: Conscious Consumer, Crafts & Design, Crafts & Hobbies, Home, Surprising uses for ..., Videos, crafting, DIY, DIY fabric dye, fabric dye, food-based fabric dye, green crafting, how to make natural fabric dye, natural fabric dye, sustainable fabric
Becky Striepe
Becky Striepe is a freelance writer and vegan crafter living in Atlanta, Georgia. Her life’s mission is to make green crafting and vegan food accessible to everyone! Like this article? You can follow Becky on Twitter or find her on Facebook!
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people are talking
interesting but more studies are needed
Thanks.
I liked this.
"Monsanto has made a pledge that they will not pursue legal action if such a combination of crops we…
that is a great idea!
30 comments
+ add your ownnoted
Nice, thank you. The world needs more sustainable products. Now can someone post a petition to help the Pearl River ...
My daughter(of my heart) will love this..I'm emailing it to her now...thanx so much.... Fun!!
Well, if you want a pink blouse then spill Merlot on it and wash it, and voila there's your pink blouse
Works for eggs too.
HORRIBLE HOW COULD SOMEONE DO THAT TO A RIVER???
Thanks for the first step, salt water. I had a huge failure with beets because I didn't have the right mordant and the fabric turned an awful washed out brown.
ty
I have a blue shirt I spilled mustard on. Looks cool!
Yes I am going to try this, I have a white devet cover that I just love but it has gone yellow in places with age, I don't want to throw it out, so this article just may have solved my dilemma, I have nothing to lose trying it.
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