Why to Use Natural Dyes
Most of us know that synthetic dyes may be harmful if ingested in large quantities. They may cause a myriad of negative side-effects, ranging from ADHD to tumors. 1,2,3 You may even know that food dyes that the FDA deems safe and allowable in food in the US, is illegal in many other countries.
The good news is that our planet is full of natural beauty. Artificial dyes were inspired by colors that actually exist in nature. Which leads me to a question: why would you buy the cheap knock off brand, when the authentic version is better, affordable and accessible (and doesn’t cause hyperactivity in children)?
The bonus to making homemade easter egg dye is getting children involved. They get to learn where natural dyes come from, while appreciating the natural beauty our earth provides.
How to Make Homemade Easter Egg Dye
Start by boiling eggs until they’re cooked through, which generally takes about 12-15 minutes from when the water starts to boil. Allow them to cool.
The basic process for creating the natural dye is to boil 2 cups of water with the spice, herb, fruit or vegetable of choice, for around 5 – 10 minutes, then remove from heat. This isn’t an exact science… just watch the color of the water and use your best judgement.
Strain the solids and transfer the dyed water to a mason jar. Once the water is cooled, place eggs into the mason jars and let them hang out in the homemade easter dgg dye for 1 – 4 hours. For lighter colors, go closer to one hour, for darker colors, keep them in the dye for closer to 4.
Here are some colors you can choose from. But don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to just these! If you have something in your refrigerator or pantry that you think would make a beautiful or unique color, give it a try. Just make sure it’s edible and safe for ingestion.
How to Make Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs
| Purple | Blossoms from a Violet Plant Red Onion Skins Red Wine (Note: this doesn’t need to be diluted or boiled. Just stick the boiled eggs right in the wine) |
| Blue | Blueberries Red Cabbage Leaves Purple Grapes |
| Brown | Strong Coffee (Brewed, not boiled) Black Tea |
| Yellow | Orange or lemon peels Ground cumin Ground Turmeric Green Tea Carrots Ground mustard |
| Green | Spinach leaves |
| Orange | Yellow onion skins Chili Powder Paprika |
| Pink | Beets Cranberries Raspberries |
| Red | Cherries Raspberries (keep them in for longer) |
That is how you make homemade Easter egg dye! I hope you’ll skip the commercial version and appreciate the beauty of nature instead. There is nothing that compares to the vibrant, beautiful colors you can achieve with natural dyes!
1Adverse Effects of Inactive Ingredients
2Living in Color: The Potential Danger of Artificial Dyes
3Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks
Looking for other fun Easter Ideas? Check these out!
Radish Butter Spread
My friend, Cynthia, at Feeding Big is sharing this gorgeous recipe for her Radish Butter Spread. It looks like a perfectly unique dish to brighten up the Easter dinner table!
Upcycled Laundry Scoop Craft
My friend Susan, at Organized31, is sharing this fun upcycle craft that can be created from a used laundry scoop. Grab the tutorial for her laundry scoop crafts!
Misty Nelson Dawn says
April 18, 2017 at 1:13 pmWow! What a really good and creative ideas I wish I seen this before Easter Sunday so I can try this
Ayesha Heart says
April 13, 2017 at 7:33 amAmazing! I am definitely going to try this. Happy Easter! Great idea you got here for Easter egg. Thanks a lot!
Nicole - Miss Sparkle says
April 10, 2017 at 8:05 amThis is such an amazing idea! I’m not a fan of the chemicals in the colours, so this one is perfect!
Zen says
April 10, 2017 at 5:54 amThe easter eggs are looking so beautiful. Natural dye makes it so attractive.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
April 8, 2017 at 7:38 amThis is great. We would not want to have any of those harmful artificial dyes seeping into my boiled eggs. Thanks for sharing how to use natural dyes instead.
Bel says
April 8, 2017 at 12:01 amI love that these are bbnatural. I would never had imagined.
Leigh Anne Borders says
April 7, 2017 at 7:43 pmI love the idea of using natural things to dye eggs for Easter. What a safe and fun way to get the kids involved and teach them that they can use nature to do things too.
Erin Fesperman says
April 7, 2017 at 4:13 pmIt’s baffling the number of dyes used in products marketed for children. Thank you for this awesome tutorial with safe alternatives!
Echo says
April 7, 2017 at 10:27 amThis is so awesome and fun! Thanks for the guide, I am trying this for sure!
Jay Simms says
April 7, 2017 at 9:54 amThis is so cool!! I am going to try this when we dye our Easter eggs this year. I love using natural products when possible.
Victoria Sconion says
April 7, 2017 at 8:31 amI love this! My son is allergic to dyes and this is a great alternative so he doesn’t miss out on the fun activities of dying eggs.
Fatima Torres says
April 7, 2017 at 7:51 amI’ve always said natural dyes are the way to go. I can’t wait to dye eggs with our boys.
Elizabeth O. says
April 7, 2017 at 3:23 amI’ve seen these before and I think it’s awesome that you showed us how it’s done. It’s really awesome to color these eggs naturally instead of using different dyes. Love the idea!
Sarah-Louise Bailey says
April 6, 2017 at 5:27 pmLove all the colors you have used. We prefer to use natural colors as we all are allergic to chemicals / dyes. I will try red and pink and see how it comes out. Thanks for sharing
Amber Myers says
April 6, 2017 at 1:44 pmThis looks so cool. I love all the colors. I might have to try to do this sometime.
tara pittman says
April 6, 2017 at 12:23 pmI need to try natural dyes this year. I would do coffee and beets.
Ruth says
April 6, 2017 at 7:40 amThis is such a good idea. I hope you have a happy Easter!
Tammy says
April 6, 2017 at 7:34 amI love this idea and am planning on doing this for my eggs this year. Shared
Susan says
April 5, 2017 at 6:55 amWhat absolutely gorgeous colors , much prettier than artificial dyes. And what a fun science experiments for children.
Cynthia says
April 5, 2017 at 4:42 amWhat great ideas. We have been getting rid of all chemicals from our lives and home, so this is perfect for my family.
Annie says
April 1, 2014 at 3:38 pmThis post is exactly what I was looking for! The other day at the grocery store I saw the egg dye display and decided I needed to figure out how to use natural dyes, you did all the work for me – thanks! (found you on Natural Living Mondays)
Annie says
April 1, 2014 at 3:37 pmThis post is exactly what I was looking for! The other day at the grocery store I saw the egg dye display and decided I needed to figure out how to use natural dyes, you did all the work for me – thanks!