Natural Tie-Dye Methods That are Great for the Environment
By Claudia Langella
Tie-dying is one summer activity that’s been having its moment for quite some time now. Instead of the wacky-colored dyes akin to your favorite summer camp t-shirt, brands have opted for more earthy hues.
Some places are charging upwards of eighty dollars for a green tie-dyed tee, but did you know you can achieve the same effect by using products that you probably always have in kitchen? Yup, that’s right! If you have a bottle of turmeric or a bunch of blueberries, you can tie-dye your afternoon away. Plus, this is a more sustainable method since standard dyes pollute waterways!
So, grab an old white tee and head to the kitchen. You’ve got a quintessential summer activity to complete!
How to do it…
This Makes 3 Organics blog post offers a great explanation of natural fabric dyeing. Use this as your starting point and try out their beet method for a bright pink hue!
With Tumeric
Jenny from Wear I Live makes a beautiful yellow dye bath out of turmeric. The result is a sunny yellow that’s perfect for beach days.
With Blueberries
By combining blueberries and salt, Quynh Ho achieves a mauve hue for her long-sleeved tee.
With Avocados
It’s hard to believe that avocado skins and pits leave a pink tint on your clothes. The DIY Designer tests a few methods in this helpful video.
With Natural Dye Kit
If you’re running low on the ingredients mentioned above, opt for a natural dye kit like this one from Etsy!
Must Have Tee
Keeping the environment in mind, grab a white tee from Pact, where all products are crafted with high-quality organic cotton.