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How to Achieve Amazing Results from Herbal Dyeing?

Our environment now contains toxins that are affecting our health. The use of chemicals has increased considerably which has led to pollution. Fortunately, people are now becoming aware of how hazardous these chemically treated products are.

Different healthy lifestyles are being introduced for the better. People are becoming vegan or even raw vegan; some are taking Ayurveda for their lifestyle. Not only people are trying to use healthy and organic products in their foods, but also in what they wear and use. Now we have chemical free make-up products and also chemical free herbal dyeing for fabrics. This is a good step towards protecting our environment and our health for good.

Using chemical dyes are quite popular all over the world. This is the most common used method of dyeing fabrics as it is also the cheaper method. The chemical dyes are available in many different forms. The process of chemical dyeing involves dissolving the dyein the water and dipping the fabric in the dye mixture. The fabricattains the color from the dye mixture. Read more about the Harmful effects of Synthetic Chemicals.

But with cheaper rate comes other consequences. It has many negative effects on our health and environment. Our water bodies are getting polluted by the wastage of dyes which is dumped later. People who have skin sensitivities usually get allergic reactions and skin irritations from chemical dyed fabrics. These dyes are called synthetic dyes which have chemicals with them.

Herbal Dyeing

Another alternate dyeing method is gaining popularity which is the herbal dyeing. You do not need to use chemicals for dyeing your fabric; you can use organic and herbal options are well. Nature provides us with a variety of natural options for dyeing. It is beneficial for our environment and our health. Read more about the Origin of Herbal Dyeing.

Ayurvastra is another popular way of getting your fabrics dyeing naturally. It is a branch of Ayurveda, which is specifically for natural dyeing. It uses organic elements to dye fabric which has numerous benefits. It heals your skin and body and is not contagious to the environment.

 

Process for Herbal Dyeing

If you are planning for herbal dyeing or Ayurvedic dyeing, it is not that hard as it seems so. The color is made from plants, herbs or flowers. You can dye towels, curtains, shirts, baby clothes, paper, sheets and pillow cases, and handkerchief.

Organic Plants and Herbs for Different Colors

Following are the organic plants and herbs which can be used for extracting their colours out on your desired fabric:

  1. Turmeric gives the shades of yellow
  2. Haritaki gives the shades of green
  3. Indigo gives the shades of blue
  4. Madder gives the shades of red
  5. Onion gives the shades of brown, rust, yellow and orange
  6. Pomegranate gives the shades of ocher-yellow

The plants mentioned aboveand herbs are usedin Ayurvastra. There are more natural products which can be used for herbal dyeing like grapes, rose, paprika, nettle leaf, cornflowers, lavenders, spinach, strawberries and more. Pretty much you can use any organic plant, herb or color depending upon the colour you want. Read more about Why Ayurveda Dyeing is Beneficial?.

The Process of Herbal Dyeing

Following are basic and simple steps from which you can achieve amazing results from herbal dyeing.

Step 1: Preparing the Dye

First, you have to choose what color you want to dye your fabric. Accordingly, select the plant, herb or flower that will give you that color. For example, if you want to dye yellow color, you can choose turmeric. Once you have selected your organic element, now you have to prepare the dye mixture. Whatever plant you have chosen, chop it up and put it into a pot for boiling. Using stainless steel is recommended. Use purified water, twice the quantity of your plant. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer on low heat for more than an hour. Let the material sit in the water for long; it will give stronger color.


Step 2: Preparing the Fabric

Once your dye is ready, now you have to work on your fabric. Choose what fabric you want to dye. For your fabric to fully absorb the dye, it is essential you prep it. There are different ways to do it.

If you are choosing plants for dye, prepare a mixture of vinegar and water. Use 1:4 vinegar and water. Boil your fabric in the mixturefor an hour. Once boiled, rinse it with cold water.

If you are using fruits or berries, use ½ cup salt in 8 cups of water and boil the fabric in this mixture for one hour. Once boiled good enough, rinse it under cold water.

Step 3

Now that both of your fabric and dye is ready to put your prepared fabric into the dye and let it simmer. Your fabric will start to change its shade. See what shade you are looking for. Once you have reached the shade, take the fabricout and wash it. It is always recommended to simmer the fabric into a darker tone than you want because after washing the fabric, it gets a little lighter in the shade. Also, try to dry your fabricin the shaderather than in the sun.

Conclusion

Herbal dyes are easyto do soat home too. If you are determined to change your lifestyle for the better, adopting herbal dyeing is a way towards it. People love the effect and results of natural dyeing. It is safe and helping them heals and transforms their bodies. You will never go wrong with anything natural. Read more about What is Bringing Back Herbal Dyeing to the Textile Industry?

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