How to Dye Cotton Or Linen With Dandelions

In this detailed tutorial, I will show you how to dye cotton or linen with dandelions! Almost everyone has access to enough dandelions to create a vibrant yellow.

Before you go any further, know that you will need to scour and pre-mordant your fabric to continue with this project. Stay tuned on a detailed tutorial on this.

If you are interested in foraging, you likely know that the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) can be more than just a lawn weed. Yes, it has a habit of growing in many undesirable locations, but dandelions have a history of many uses. The leaves can be eaten as a nutritious salad green, the roots can be transformed into a caffeine-free coffee replacement, and the flowers can be made into a sunny yellow jelly. But did you know they can make a beautiful natural dye?

One afternoon, I gathered a large amount of pesticide-free dandelions in an open and wild area to use as dyestuff. Since dandelions are a weedy non-native plant, there is no need to worry about over harvesting.

Foraging for Dandelions As Dyestuff

The common dandelion grows in all 50 states in the United States and in most parts of Canada. Its tendency to spread in undesirable places such as lawns and other public areas increases its likelihood to be sprayed with toxic herbicides. Even though the dandelions for this project are not going to be consumed, I recommend picking dandelions from an area you are certain have not been sprayed. Bringing contaminated flowers into your home would not be good for you or your family.

For this project, I used fresh dandelion flowers and leaves. Together they produce and very pretty yellow, and it is also faster to pick a large amount of dyestuff when you pick the whole plant. You could also use strictly the flower heads for a slightly different shade of yellow. Feel free to experiment.

As mentioned above, there is not a concern for over harvesting the common dandelion.

Fabric Needed To Dye

For this project you want to use a natural or white vegetable/cellulose fiber. Cotton or linen are the most common and widely available cellulose fibers but you could also use bamboo, hemp, ramie, etc if you have that access to that.

If is possible to dye animal fibers, but the process is different and not included in this tutorial. I will do a post about this in the future.

FAQ

What colors can dandelions make?

Dandelions create beautiful shades of yellow, and with some more advanced adjustments it is possible to create olive greens, and yellow-browns.

Do I have to scour the fabric?

To avoid patchy and uneven colors it is recommended to scour any fabric that is going to be dyed.

Do I have to use a mordant before dying with dandelions?

You do not necessarily have to use a mordant beforehand to dye with dandelions, but to get the best color payoff and colorfastness (make it worth your time) It is recommend to use a mordant.

It is also possible to dye in an aluminum pot, but this process is not in this tutorial.

How to make dandelion dye colorfast?

‘Colorfast’ is referring the the longevity of the dye color on fabric. The best way to ensure a long lasting color with dandelions is to pre-mordant it.

How long does the color last?

This depends on how you care for the garment. Hand washing in cold water and air drying is best, but you could also machine wash cold and tumble dry (this is what I do). Always use a ph neutral soap.

Tips On How to Dye Cotton Or Linen With Dandelions

Stir the fabric in the dye pot often to get the most even color.

Accept that you may not get the most even color – even with the best effort. Embrace it!

Colors when wet will dry to several shades lighter when dried. Keep this in mind when deciding to take your fabric out of dye bath.

Use gloves

Dandelion dyestuff does not have to be used immediately. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or so until ready to use.

If you opt for the All-In-One method and have dyestuff and fabric all in one pot, know that it will be very tedious to get all of the bits of dandelion off your fabric. Next time I will strain out the dyestuff before adding fabric.

Other Materials You May Need

Large stock pot – for dye extraction

Utensils used for dyeing – wooden spoon for stirring

Rubber gloves – protect your hands while while grabbing fabric out of dye pot.

Food Scale– Equal amounts of dyestuff to fabric is needed.

5 gallon bucket – For pre wetting fabric and rinsing

Mesh Strainer – Strain dyestuff before adding fabric if desired.

How to Dye Cotton Or Linen With Dandelions

Pick white garment or fabric you are using for dying- weigh with food scale and keep note of amount. I weigh in grams.

Scour and pre-mordant.

Pick dandelions and leaves if using. Pick at least equal amount in weight of dandelions to fabric.

Pre-wet fabric in plain clean water for at least an hour, stirring constantly or for up to a week.

At least an hour before adding fabric to dye pot, bring dandelion dyestuff and enough water to a boil, then simmer for an hour, then strain.

You have the option to do the All-In-One method. To do this, add your fabric to the dye pot with dyestuff altogether before straining. Please see Tips for my experience using this method.

Simmer fabric in dye pot (or keep very hot), stirring occasionally until desired color is achieved. This came rather quickly for me. I was very happy with the results after about 3 hours. I thought about leaving it in the dye pot overnight but did not find it necessary. Feel free to experiment.

Remove fabric when cool enough to handle, then rinse in clean water until water is clear.

Leave to dry out of sunlight.

Then either hand wash or wash in cold water in the washing machine with ph neutral laundry soap.

Transform Yellow Into Olive Green

A possible next step would be to add an iron adjustor. You would have to have your iron liquor prepared beforehand (stay tuned on a how-to for this). I absolutely love the color this produced.