Top 19 'Kitchen-Scrap' Natural Dyeing Techniques to learn for Giving Old Clothes New Life on weekends
That beloved white t-shirt with the tiny-but-impossible-to-remove coffee stain. The once-vibrant tote bag, now faded from too many sunny adventures. We all have them—textiles that are perfectly good but have lost their spark. Before you relegate them to the rag pile, what if I told you your kitchen held the secret to their glorious second act?
Welcome to the magical world of natural dyeing, where everyday kitchen scraps transform into a palette of stunning, earthy colours. This isn't just about saving clothes; it's about slowing down, connecting with nature, and turning what would be waste into wearable art. It’s a beautiful, sustainable practice that turns your weekend into a creative retreat, infusing old fabrics with new life and a story.
Forget complicated chemicals and expensive kits. The best colours are often hiding in plain sight—in your onion basket, your compost bin, and at the bottom of your tea caddy. In this guide, we'll explore 19 of the most accessible and surprising natural dyes you can create from simple kitchen waste. So, let’s put on an apron, simmer a pot, and start this colourful journey together.
1. Yellow Onion Skins (For Golden Yellows and Rusty Oranges)
Let's start with the undisputed champion of the kitchen scrap dye world: the humble yellow onion skin. These papery peels, which you'd normally toss without a second thought, produce the most incredible range of colours, from sunny yellows to deep, rusty oranges and rich siennas. The colour depends on the concentration of skins and the type of fabric you use.
To get started, simply collect the dry, outer skins of yellow onions in a jar over a week or two. You’ll need a good handful, roughly equal in weight to the dry fabric you intend to dye. Simmer the skins in a pot of water for about an hour to extract the colour, then strain out the skins and add your pre-wetted natural-fiber fabric (cotton, linen, silk, or wool work best) to the dyebath. Simmer gently for another hour, and for a deeper shade, let it cool and soak overnight.
Pro-Tip: Adding a piece of rusty iron (like an old nail, safely) to the dyebath or pre-soaking your fabric in an iron-water solution (a process called "mordanting") will "sadden" the colour, shifting the vibrant yellow towards a beautiful, mossy olive green.
2. Avocado Pits & Skins (For Dusty Rose and Millennial Pink)
This is the one that truly feels like alchemy. How can the hard, brown pit and leathery green skin of an avocado produce the most delicate shades of dusty rose and soft pink? It’s a magical transformation that never fails to delight. The tannins in the pits and skins are responsible for this beautiful, and surprisingly colorfast, dye.
Save your avocado pits and skins after making guacamole. Wash them thoroughly and you can either store them in the freezer until you have enough (around 5-10 pits for a couple of t-shirts) or dry them completely. Chop the pits carefully (they are hard!) or smash them into smaller pieces to expose more surface area. Simmer the pits and skins in water for at least an-hour-and-a-half, but don't let it boil, as high heat can turn the colour brownish. You'll see the water slowly turn a deep red, like a rich wine.
When I, Goh Ling Yong, first started my natural dyeing journey, avocado pits were the one that truly hooked me. The surprise of seeing that first blush of pink emerge from the pot is a moment of pure creative joy. Let your fabric soak in the warm dyebath for several hours or even a few days for the richest colour.
3. Pomegranate Peels (For Rich Khaki and Golden Yellow)
Don't throw away the tough, leathery skin of a pomegranate! These peels are packed with tannins, making them an excellent and long-lasting natural dye. They produce a wonderful range of earthy tones, from a vibrant golden-yellow on silk and wool to a more muted khaki or cement-grey on cotton and linen, especially when modified with iron.
After you've enjoyed the juicy seeds, collect the peels. You can use them fresh or dry them for later use. Break the peels into smaller pieces and simmer them in water for an hour or so to create a potent yellow-brown dyebath. The resulting colour is sophisticated and earthy, perfect for creating timeless, neutral-toned pieces.
Example: Dye a simple linen tote bag with pomegranate peels, then use a shibori tie-dye technique (folding and binding with string) before submerging it. The result will be a beautiful, patterned bag in shades of khaki and cream.
4. Red Cabbage (For Purples, Blues, and Pinks)
Red cabbage is the science experiment of the natural dye world, and it’s incredibly fun. It creates a "fugitive" dye, meaning it's not very wash-fast or light-fast, but the process is so fascinating it's worth it for craft projects or items you don't wash frequently. The magic is in its pH sensitivity.
Chop up about half a head of red cabbage and simmer it in water for 30-60 minutes. The water will turn a deep purple. Strain out the cabbage and you have your base dye. Now, the fun begins! If you dip your fabric in this purple bath, you’ll get a lavender hue. Add a splash of vinegar (acid) to the bath, and it will shift to a vibrant magenta or pink. Add a pinch of baking soda (alkaline), and it will transform into a stunning turquoise or blue.
You can even paint on your fabric with vinegar or a baking soda solution after dyeing it to create different coloured patterns. It's an amazing way to teach kids about chemistry and art at the same time.
5. Used Coffee Grounds (For Soft Tans and Browns)
Your morning coffee ritual can extend into a creative afternoon project. Used coffee grounds are a fantastic source for creating a range of soft, muted browns and tans. It’s one of the easiest dyes to start with and gives fabric a lovely, vintage-inspired look.
Collect your used coffee grounds from the filter. You can use them immediately or spread them out to dry for later. To make the dye, simply put the grounds back in a pot of water (or use leftover brewed coffee) and simmer for about an hour. For a stronger dye, you can place the grounds in a muslin bag or old nylon stocking to keep the bath clear.
This technique is perfect for "over-dyeing" clothes with small stains. A coffee dye bath will unify the colour and hide minor imperfections, giving the garment a whole new lease on life. The result is a warm, earthy tone that is both subtle and beautiful.
6. Used Black Tea Bags (For Antique Greys and Browns)
Similar to coffee, black tea is rich in tannins and creates an excellent dye. The colour is often a bit more subtle and can range from a soft beige to a deeper taupe or even a slate grey, depending on the tea's strength and whether you use an iron modifier.
Save up your used black tea bags (English Breakfast, Earl Grey, etc.). Ten to twenty bags will be enough for a small project like a t-shirt. Simply re-boil the tea bags in a pot of water to create a surprisingly dark dyebath. The longer you let the fabric soak, the deeper the shade will be. Tea dyeing is a classic technique for giving new fabrics an aged, antique look.
7. Beetroot Peels and Ends (For Delicate Pinks - With a Catch!)
Beets produce the most gorgeous, vibrant fuchsia and pink colours in the pot. It’s an absolute showstopper. However, it's important to know that beet dye is famously "fugitive." This means the colour is not stable and will fade significantly with washing and exposure to sunlight.
So why include it? Because it's perfect for projects that won't be washed often, like wall hangings, decorative ribbons, or even for temporarily colouring play silks for children. The process is simple: simmer chopped beet peels and ends for an hour, strain, and add your fabric. The initial colour is breathtaking, so enjoy the process and the vibrant (if temporary) results.
8. Carrot Tops and Peels (For Pale, Buttery Yellows)
While the carrot root itself doesn't offer much colour, the feathery green tops and the thin peels do! This is a more subtle dye, so it's perfect if you're aiming for a delicate, pale yellow. It’s a wonderful way to use the entire vegetable and reduce your kitchen waste to almost nothing.
Chop up the carrot tops and collect the peels, then simmer them for about an hour. The resulting dyebath will be a soft, primrose yellow. This dye works particularly well on silk and wool, which absorb colours more readily than cotton or linen. It's a gentle colour perfect for baby clothes or delicate scarves.
9. Spinach (For Soft Sage Green)
Getting a true, lasting green from a single plant source is one of the holy grails of natural dyeing. While spinach won’t give you a vibrant emerald, it can produce a lovely, soft sage or yellowish-green. The key is to avoid boiling it for too long, as heat can destroy the chlorophyll and turn the dye brownish.
Use a large bundle of spinach (older, slightly wilted leaves are fine). Chop it up and gently simmer it in water for about an hour on low heat. Strain the leaves carefully and immerse your fabric in the warm bath. The colour is subtle and earthy, a beautiful whisper of green.
10. Turmeric Powder (For Brilliant, Sunny Yellow)
Okay, this one is technically a spice rack staple, not a scrap, but a little goes a very long way! Turmeric produces an intensely vibrant, almost electric yellow. It’s one of the most potent and easy-to-use natural dyes, instantly brightening any fabric.
Simply dissolve a tablespoon or two of turmeric powder in a pot of hot water, stir well, and add your fabric. The colour takes almost instantly. Like beets, turmeric is known to fade in direct sunlight over time, but its initial brilliance is unmatched. It’s perfect for creating cheerful pillowcases, napkins, or a statement t-shirt.
11. Red Onion Skins (For Khaki Greens and Mauves)
Don't confuse these with their yellow cousins! While you might expect red onion skins to produce a reddish hue, they actually create a completely different palette. Depending on your water's pH and the fabric, you can get surprising shades of khaki green, dusty mauve, or a brownish-red.
The process is the same as for yellow onion skins: collect the papery outer layers, simmer to extract the colour, and dye your fabric. Experimenting with red onion skins is always a surprise, making it a favourite among dyers who love unpredictable, complex colours.
12. Black Beans (For Ethereal Blues and Greys)
This method is unique because it requires no heat. The colour from dried black beans is extracted through a cold-soaking process, yielding beautiful, moody shades of blue, purple, and grey. It's a gentle process that creates a lovely, mottled, almost denim-like effect on cotton.
Simply cover a cup of dried black beans with a few cups of water and let them soak overnight, or for a full 24 hours. The water will turn a dark, inky purple-black. Strain out the beans (you can still cook and eat them!) and submerge your pre-wetted fabric in the cold dye liquid. Let it soak for at least a few hours, or even a couple of days, agitating it occasionally. The results are soft, subtle, and truly beautiful.
13. Lemon and Orange Peels (For Soft Creamy Yellows)
Citrus peels can also be used to create a very subtle, creamy yellow dye. You'll need a large quantity of peels to get a noticeable colour, so this is a great project to do after you've been juicing or making marmalade. The scent of the simmering peels is an added bonus!
Chop the peels and simmer them for at least an hour. The colour is very delicate, so it works best on protein fibers like silk or wool. It's perfect for achieving a soft, antique-white or buttery-ivory shade.
14. Artichoke (For Soft Green-Grey)
The whole artichoke, including the leaves, stem, and heart, can be used to create a lovely, sophisticated green-grey or yellowish-green dye. This is a perfect way to use the tough outer leaves and other parts you might discard after steaming and eating the hearts.
Simply chop up all the leftover bits of the artichoke and boil them in a pot of water. The resulting colour is a muted, earthy green that feels very elegant and understated.
15. Used Hibiscus Tea Bags (For Pinks and Mauves)
If you're a fan of herbal tea, save those used hibiscus tea bags. Hibiscus is known for its vibrant red colour when brewed, and it can impart lovely shades of pink, lavender, and mauve onto fabric. Like red cabbage, its colour can be sensitive to pH, so you can play around with a little lemon juice to see how the hue shifts.
16. Walnut Hulls (For Deep, Rich Browns)
If you can get your hands on black walnuts, the green outer hulls are a source of one of the most potent and permanent natural brown dyes. Be warned: this dye is incredibly strong and will stain everything, so wear gloves!
The traditional method involves soaking the fresh green hulls in water for weeks to let them ferment and rot, which creates a very dark dye bath. For a quicker method, you can simmer the fresh or dried hulls for a couple of hours. The result is a deep, rich brown that requires no mordant to be colourfast, making it a truly powerful natural dye.
17. Leftover Red Wine (For Soft Purples and Greys)
Did a bottle of red wine go a bit sour, or do you just have a little left at the bottom? Don't pour it down the drain! Red wine can be used as a dye. The famous tannins that make wine age-worthy also help it bind to fabric, creating soft lavenders, pinks, and greys.
Simply warm the red wine gently in a pot (don't boil it, or you'll lose the alcohol and change the chemistry) and add your fabric. The acidity of the wine helps set the colour. It's a wonderful way to give a second life to that last glass of Merlot.
18. Cherry Pits (For Peachy Pinks and Tans)
After pitting cherries for a pie, save those pits. When cleaned and simmered, they can release a subtle pink or tan colour. You will need a significant amount of pits to create a strong dye, so this is another one to collect over time in your freezer. It’s a delicate dye, perfect for subtle, peachy tones.
19. Blueberry or Blackberry Stains (For Purples and Greys)
Instead of lamenting a berry stain, lean into it! You can use overripe, mushy, or leftover blueberries and blackberries to create a dye. Simmer the berries gently with a bit of water, mashing them to release their juice. The resulting colours can range from purplish-grey to a soft lavender. This dye tends to be more of a stain, so its longevity can vary, but it's a fun and organic way to add colour.
Your Kitchen, Your Colour Palette
There you have it—a tour of the secret dye studio hiding in your kitchen. The beauty of natural dyeing is that there are no hard and fast rules, only endless opportunities for experimentation. Each batch of onion skins, every avocado pit, and the unique pH of your tap water will create a slightly different result. That's what makes every piece you dye a one-of-a-kind creation.
So next time you're about to toss those scraps, pause for a moment. See the potential for a dusty rose, a golden yellow, or a soft sage green. Embrace the slow, rewarding process of transforming waste into wonder.
Now it's your turn. Pick one, gather your scraps, and give an old piece of clothing a new story this weekend. I'd love to see what you create! Share your natural dye projects on social media and tag our blog. What's your favourite kitchen scrap to use for colour? Let me know in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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