Posted by Miriam Splett
on April 17, 2025
Colour doesn’t come from the bottle. It comes from the earth.
And with just warm water, natural fibre, and plant-based dye, you can bring it to life in your own hands.
If you’ve ever dreamt of transforming fabric with botanical colour - this is where it starts. No lab coats. No chemicals. Just slow process, grounded beauty, and one packet of WildHue.
Why Natural Dyes?
Natural dyes are colour in its most elemental form. No synthetics. No microplastics. Just the pigment a plant gives - concentrated, pure, and rich in energy.
Each WildHue powder is:
• Single-ingredient
• Extract-grade
• Plant-based and non-toxic
• Ideal for sustainable, eco-friendly textile dyeing
This is natural colour you can feel good about. Artistic, sustainable, and soulfully precise.
What Fabrics Work Best?
Natural dye extracts bond best with natural fibres. These fabrics drink in the pigment and reveal the plant’s full spectrum.
Eucalyptus - A dream to dye. This soft, breathable fibre takes on bold, clean colour. The result is modern and organic.
Still searching for the perfect canvas? Ethical Bedding’s eucalyptus sheets soak up colour like a dream - rich, vibrant, and effortlessly luxe.
Bamboo - Silky smooth and fast-absorbing. Bamboo shows subtle, elegant hues with botanical depth.
Cotton, Linen, and Hemp - Classic naturals. These fibres absorb deeply, creating rich, earthy tones with a raw edge.
Silk and Wool - Luxurious and radiant. These animal fibres glow with warm, saturated colour.
Blends and Synthetics - May vary. Some colour will take, but not with the same richness or reliability.
The key is to start with clean, untreated fabric. If the fibre can breathe, it can hold the colour.
How to Dye at Home
You don’t need a workshop. A bucket, warm water, and a place to dry is enough.
Step One: Mix the Dye
Add 100g of WildHue botanical dye powder to 10–15 litres of warm water. Stir gently. Strain out any lumps. You’ll be left with a smooth, liquid bath of pure plant pigment.
Step Two: Add Your Fabric
Place the fabric into the dye bath. Let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Keep the fabric moving gently to avoid uneven tones. Make sure there’s space for it to move freely in the water.
Step Three: Rinse and Dry
When you love the shade, lift it out. Wring gently. Hang to dry. The final colour may deepen as it settles - another reminder that nature doesn’t rush.
How Much Dye Should You Use?
Start simple:
One 100g pouch will colour about 2kg of fabric - that’s around the weight of a few cotton t-shirts or a pair of socks and a scarf.
Dye more? Use more powder.
Want a deeper tone? Let it soak longer or increase the dye ratio.
Prefer a whisper of colour? Use less and lift it sooner.
There’s no formula more powerful than trial and intuition.
FAQs
Is this process safe for skin and home use?
Yes. WildHue dyes are non-toxic and entirely plant-based. No gloves required, unless you’re protecting your manicure.
Can I dye secondhand clothes?
Absolutely. Natural dyeing is a beautiful way to breathe new life into old garments, as long as they’re made from natural fibres.
What if my colour comes out uneven?
Uneven colour often means fabric was bunched or the dye didn’t dissolve fully. Keep the fabric moving gently and make sure your dye bath is smooth and lump-free.
Let the Plant Speak
Natural dyeing invites you to slow down. To stir, soak, watch.
To notice how marigold deepens in heat. How indigo clings to linen. How the earth still holds colour worth listening to.
This isn’t just a technique. It’s a collaboration between maker and material.
Ready to begin?
Browse WildHue’s botanical dye powders and start your home dye journey with purpose and poetry.
