Natural Dyes for Easter Eggs – Gorgeous Color the Natural Way

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Why spend money on an Easter Egg dye kit when you most likely have several natural dyes in your home right now. Using berries, vegetables, and even spices, you can create just about any color Easter Egg dye you want, ranging from spring-like pastels to deep, rich hues. Best of all, once finished you can toss all your leftover dye in the compost pile! Check out these natural dyes for Easter eggs and get ready to make gorgeous, fun-colored eggs that are perfect for your Easter Egg Hunt!

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Natural Dyes for Easter Eggs

Believe it or not, natural dyes for Easter eggs can be found in everything from berries to spices to your favorite drink. Below is a list of some of the most common products people use as natural dyes for Easter Eggs along with the color you will get when you use it.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Yellow onion skins =  yellow to dark orange
• Red onion skins = lavender or red eggs
• Red beets = pink on white eggs, maroon on brown eggs
• Purple cabbage = blue on white eggs, green on brown eggs
• Spinach = green
• Raspberries or blackberries = pink to purple
• Yellow or green apple peels =  yellow-green
• Cherries and strawberries = deep red
• Blueberries = Blue
• Carrots = Yellow/orange

*Use 1 cup of fruit or veggies to 1 cup of water

Spices:

• Turmeric or cumin = pale yellow eggs
• Chili powder = light orange eggs

*Use 2 tablespoons per cup of water

Liquids like tea or juice:

• Purple grape juice (use as is) = lavender
• Coffee (use as is) = tan to brown
• Cranberry Juice (use as is) = pink

How To Color Easter Eggs with Natural Dye

Coloring Easter Eggs with natural dye is a bit different from using the prepared Easter Egg dye kits, but it’s actually quite easy.

Ingredients/Supplies to Make Natural Easter Egg Dye

There are a few things you will need to get started making the dye and dying the eggs.

• Natural dye materials (see list above)
• Filtered water  – I use 1 cup of water per 1 cup of fruits/veggies; 2 tbsp of spice per cup of water; 1 bag of tea per cup of water
• vinegar – 1 tablespoon of vinegar per each dye color
• saucepans – several for simmering the ingredients and for boiling eggs
• mesh strainer
• small bowls or mason jars – deep enough to submerge an egg
• eggs
• coconut or olive oil  – optional – it will add luster to eggs after dying

How to Make Natural Dye for Easter Eggs

1. Begin by bringing the dye matter and water to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 15-60 minutes until the desired color is reached. The eggs will be several shades lighter than the dye so it’s best to go for deep, rich hues. Check by dipping the corner of a white rag into the dye to get a general idea of the depth of color.
2. Next, remove the liquid from heat and let cool to room temperature.
3. Now pour the dye through a mesh strainer into bowls and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar for each cup of dye liquid.

How to Prepare Eggs for Coloring with Natural Dye

1. Begin by adding the eggs to a medium pot filled with cold water. There should be enough water to completely cover the eggs.
2. Bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and cover the pot.
3. After 10 minutes, place eggs in a bowl of cold water and let them sit until they’re cool to the touch.
4. Next, drain the bowl, and add some warm, soapy water (I prefer to use Castille soap).
5. Gently rub eggs with a washcloth or your thumb to remove any dirt or oils that will prohibit the natural dyes from adhering to the eggshell.

How To Color Easter Eggs with Natural Dye

1. Gently lower the prepared eggs into the dye, cover, and then place them in the fridge. Soak overnight or until your desired color is reached.
2. When the eggs are ready scoop them out with a spoon and place on a cooling rack or on top of an upside-down egg carton.

Add Finishing Touches – Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

Although solid-colored eggs are beautiful on their own, consider adding a bit of glam with the following Easter Egg decorating ideas:

• Colored tissue paper – cut hearts, flowers, circles, stars, and other designs out of colored tissue paper. While the colored egg is still damp, lay the tissue paper design on top of it. The juice residue will work like glue to keep the design on the egg.
• Metallic paint pens – use pens to add intricate designs
• Glitter – a great way to add some sparkle and shine.
• Glitter pens – fun to draw patterns and designs!
• Stickers – an easy, yet fun decoration.
• Hot Glue – use a hot glue gun to draw cool designs and patterns on colored eggs.
• Crayons – use to draw designs or melt crayons and drip the colored wax over the colored eggs.

How Long Does Using Natural Dye for Easter Eggs Take?

Keep in mind that when you use natural dyes for Easter Eggs, it will take longer than using a store-bought dye kit. Depending on the material used to create the dye, it can take anywhere from several hours to overnight. So be sure to plan ahead and leave some extra time to get the results you want.