The Chemistry of Natural Dyes - Bytesize Science

We visited the Brooklyn Textile Arts Center to get the low-down on the chemistry of natural dyes. Watch our latest video to find out how turmeric, cabbage and even beetles can be used as natural sources of color to transform that boring white t-shirt into a landscape of vibrant hues.
Produced by the American Chemical Society
Video by Kirk Zamieroski
Scientific consultation by Stephen Talcott

[@minimarn1220]

The cochenelli fabric should dry completely before rinsing. And cochenelli gives best color when you grind it first and put it in water to set over night before you dye!

[@tericarter2019]

lovely as nature is while your inspiration is contagious.🙂 Thanks for sharing your creations🌼

[@liannesadler5771]

Cochineal is supposed to be ground before use, that is why the red didn't turn out well for her. The Brooklyn Textile Arts Center really needs to get schooled themselves.

[@sharadinikakade3181]

Albert Most ii

[@user-je7pp2wg3m]

There are ways to extract the dye without grinding it up first, but to get a good solid color, you don't just throw the bugs in the pot. Her fabric had a certain appeal though

[@uiobuitronveronica]

@@user-je7pp2wg3m she had to put it inside cheesecloth. this is the worst natural dye demo I have seen

[@MLP4242]

i'm in awe just from those two colors you got so quick from that vegetable.. incredible!

[@HacknBuild]

This is an interesting topic. I performed my own dye experiment and found some pretty interesting chemical properties. PH is one, but also the solvent and temperature make a big difference. I tried isopropol alcohol and you get some completely different colors!

[@treslechestogo]

do you you have documentation of your experiment? I would love to see it!

[@a.maldeniya2222]

I'm srilankan dye master. 23 year experience

[@goofeygoober6095]

That’s so interesting. I’m actually doing the exact same thing right now as a dye experiment for my organic chemistry lab, which is online due to covid. I’m trying to produce a wide range of colors, and found some ranges of anthocyanin pigments were more soluble in alcohol, so I soaked half of the batch in isopropyl alcohol!

[@djnfrns]

@@goofeygoober6095 interesting! so you soaked the color source in isopropol alcohol? like infused them?

[@nivi2612]

Ok so to clear it u added the dye matter in isopropyl alcohol instead of alum ?

[@customerservice380]

Love this inside scoop

[@Just_Vryatt]

I wonder if you can use blue butterfly pea tea flower petals to dye fabric or if it would just wash out too quickly..it’s ph sensitive like the cabbage, it’s blue but then if you add acid it turns green, and if you add lemon it turns purple or pink, and it has no scent, plus the blue color it makes alone is so beautiful !

[@eleonoragatto3336]

can we find a list of substantive dyes?

[@shorteedf]

I feel this video will deter people from trying this.

[@morandarterogetjr.8663]

PLEASE ANSWER ME. WHATS THE BEST WAY TO EXTRACT THE COCONUT ROOTS PIGMENT?

[@Lerkero]

Perhaps the concentration of the dye wasn't high enough in the demonstration provided. These natural dye methods are known to produce very vibrant colors.

[@francesb7515]

When I took natural dying class we would do samples with different mordents and also letting material soak overnight for many plants/ materials after processing helped for brighter saturated and lasting colors.

[@nickbrown4915]

was the dye bath heated?

[@pokeman996]

just wondering if you have to soak it when heated for the dye to work effectively? like could i paint it on and leave it and it would have a similar effect?

[@francesb7515]

Indigo made into a thick paste is fun to use as a paint.

[@saesog]

Thanks for your sharing, i also make natural dyeing and you inspiring me🙏

[@SMartypAntsPants]

The outcome was a tad disappointing, but the young lady handled it all very well, nevertheless.

[@kristinemuceniece7887]

with which to etch the fabric?

[@crissyfernando4584]

how to get rid of bad smell after dye ?

[@lynn3296]

I am all for natural resources...but both of the dyed items did not turn out to be the color she said it was to be. Maybe next time???

[@davidjones-wy3ln]

Joy Boutrup and Catherine Ellis's "The Art and Science of Natural Dyes:Principles, Experiments, and Results"

[@velvetcrack]

didn't these turn out faint because the fabric wasn't left to sit in the mixture for a substantial time? go easy people

[@lorrainewilliams7896]

This is not a very good video on natural dyes. I am surprised that the arts center would produce this. I agree with most the previous comments. This video contains remedial mistakes and is misleading. Newbies, please ignore this video and get a good dyeing book/google Paula Burch.

[@mohiniasolkar7502]

True

[@treslechestogo]

what are the names of the books by her that you recommend?

[@francesb7515]

@@treslechestogo I don't know about who she listed but I have wild Color which is thorough.

[@imperfectlyvegan7959]

Thanks for the correction, but if I want to die wood for rodents and rabbits chew toys, then its fine, right?

[@niranjanawickramasinghe7773]

How to make white dye Pls forward details . Im from srilanka

[@meowmeowgrl]

So after I dye my shirt in the red cabbage wash it with ph neutral soap, will washing it in the machine with detergent affect the colour?

[@francesb7515]

Natural dyes do fade. Depending on the natural material type; coffee, onion, cabbage they will all fade differently. You can get some dyes to last much longer with allowing them to sit overnight or with mordents. Do some samples with and without mordents.

[@softlinkdevelopers1351]

I wonder do Berries like blueberries, cherry posses any type of dye

[@chriswarmbold6909]

I am interested in finding someone who does organic dye process in california. Any tips or suggestions on where to look? Ohter colleges out here?

[@lorrainewilliams7896]

A Verb for Keeping Warm in Oakland has classes, Sasha Duerr does some workshops in the north bay. There is a video on here from the Occidental something in So Cal (name not committed to memory because I am in the bay area). hth

[@crissyfernando4584]

how to get rid of bad smell after dye

[@SEMPERFL0RENS]

Love it! Thanks Sahara!

[@nurulhasan2281]

My 1st time watching this and is automatically subscribed. Love the contents much. Keep up the good works.

[@qqtfcollectif]

#letthecochenillealone

[@reggie8370]

#notacatchyhashtag

[@uniquewhimsy622]

Thank you LGV💕💕💕💕💕

[@stitchlightly5995]

*cochineal

[@ugoleftillgorite]

The cabbage and cochenille didn't seem to product very vibrant colors. Is there any way to produce darker dyes from those sources?

[@ysdgd]

Probably, just put more in the water.

[@francesb7515]

When I took a dye class we let the cloth sit overnight if they were not the right color. Also mordants can intensify or change color in my experience. Get a really good natural dye book and experiment! It's like doing a cooking marathon.

[@alexandracampbell2736]

Ok ya'll in the comments just need to chill, we are all learners until the day we dye (haha get it).

[@cutebunny6690]

lmao xD

[@6rockinrobin]

LOL!! IKR! I just found out about this natural dyeing & I LOOOOVE it! #quarantinelife

[@WuHa105]

That's funny, I lol'd 😝

[@StefaniePettisTheRollingStudio]

can these natural dye be used as spray inks, alcohol inks???? Crafting purposes?

[@francesb7515]

I am going to use them as such. i would think they work well with watercolors.

[@francesb7515]

@LagiNaLangAko23 Why not? I think the colors would need to be intense. Natural dyes were all artists had p till the recent 100 -200 years.

[@joynhands]

Yes, definitely. The most interesting experiments involve seeing how the carrier effects the colour that is extracted. Eggplant ink is a beautiful salmon pink in water with a bit of citric acid, but green colour is formed when extracted with alcohol if you are making alcohol ink.

[@niranjanawickramasinghe7773]

How to make white dye

[@NEFTIS333]

Is there a book about this? Where can I find more info about the natural dyes and It's chemistry?

[@M4ttC0re]

Look for 'Wild Color' by Jenny Dean.

[@thatbearlife]

I am currently learning from 'Wild Color', the same book suggested by M4ttC0re, and I'm loving it. Today, even as I write, I have my first dye simmering (ivy leaves, for an olive green), with some wool yarn.

[@simplica1]

I would consider that a bit of a disaster... The science part is interesting but the process isn't described well.

[@siciliano58]

Hi . Liked your video thanks . Can you help me with ideas which dye can I use for grass green . I like to dye from brown like to green . Thank you for your help .

[@solidagold115]

Have you found it out?

[@francesb7515]

Get the book Wild Color or borrow a natural dying book from the library. I believe I had a nice sage green from comfrey. Brown can be obtained from coffee which Starbucks gives away spent grounds.

[@NodDisciple1]

Will you ever talk about Phoencian/Murex Purple?

[@francesb7515]

A very beautiful very dark purple can be obtained from logwood.

[@alexkafuruki7656]

i like it

[@beatrizvalles7139]

por favor puedes pasar en español. .?gracias

[@neverstopexploring8655]

Can I color leather with theses dyes, do you know?

[@solidagold115]

I'm pretty sure that it's not possible.

[@francesb7515]

I am not sure. I know that natural materials work. I am assuming it would need to be raw leather, not cured. But you can do test samples on little pieces which or raw or have been treated and see. The book Wild Color is good.

[@Luckingsworth]

Leather is/was naturally "colored" via tannins from tree bark. I suppose it is possible but keep in mind old tanneries soaked leather for months to years. Of course this was also a part of preserving the hide as well. But regardless the problem exists that leather will have already been dyed and usually once dyed it's very difficult to add more to change color.

[@pedrolopes3542]

What about green?

[@munirkhamker]

dont you have to heat or boil the bath

[@welshfluteplayer]

Black, Brown and OD Green how?

[@bairuta08]

Black maybe charcoal or better squid ink. Brown very easy - coffee, maybe oak bark, green maybe matcha tea would work, but maybe would be possible to get mixing turmeric with red cabbage and baking soda.

[@francesb7515]

A very beautiful very dark purple can be obtained from logwood.

[@arleeful]

Seriously? The Textile Centre would do well to actually present researched material about natural dyes. MANDATORY reading for ANYONE who wants to go near a natural dye pot should be Joy Boutrup and Catherine Ellis's "The Art and Science of Natural Dyes:Principles, Experiments, and Results". This is embarrassing, and a big reason why most consumers don't trust natural dyes to either last, or be vivid. Pathetic.

[@davidjones-wy3ln]

thankyou for this ill use it for my research

[@judithgoodwin8013]

I found this to be an excellent video. Being a beginner, I wish that the male Speaker could go slower so we could take notes. Now I’m only partway through Am hoping they recommend Some kind of book or reading material so that we can get this information without listening to the video 10 times…

[@guacnroll6661]

to slow it down there is a settings button that I use. The speed can go up or down. It is at the bottom of the screen next to the CC button.

[@rabwoody264]

Enjoyed the video thanks, my interest would be in colouring home made chalk paint anyone got ideas thanks ...

[@francesb7515]

I am also experimenting with making art supplies. I took a dye class. I will need to be careful about fading. Mordenting is the best way to keep the dye from fading. I would soak the dyes overnight after processing or maybe 2 nights to make sure they are saturated colors. Art works should not be in direct sunlight. The book Wild Color is awesome. Perhaps do some batches and put them in sun to see if they fade over periods of time.

[@a.maldeniya2222]

I'm srilankan dye master.

[@shibubatra6621]

I want to new method machine cloth dying because this is my work

[@audunjemtland8287]

How to get black? :D

[@francesb7515]

A very beautiful very dark purple can be obtained from logwood.

[@prajaktaninawe8766]

What about orenge color

[@TheShwinn]

Prajakta Ninawe you can use acid with cochineal like lemon to achieve an orange color. However this girl didn't dye correctly with the cochineal in the first place, to achieve an even color you need to ground up the dried cochineal before introducing it to the water

[@wildturkeybich]

turmeric

[@francesb7515]

I wouldthink henna would work nicely!

[@katiemacormic7685]

for the beginners- the rules for adding to a bonfire is the same with choosing plants, keep dye-equipment separate from cook ware even with organics, and finally have fun.=)

[@francesb7515]

True. Metal utensils can act as mordents or drastically alter dye. Use wooden or plastic utensils.

[@homesci3596]

New sub here

[@kricketkitty]

There are a million contradictions in the world of natural dyes! I'm trying to learn the process and it's crazy to see such starkly different instructions. Every video I watched about natural dying with cabbage all used mordant, some explained why, due to cabbage dye being "fugitive," or not being color fast. The mordant helps but not entirely, and the cabbage dyed fabric will still fade. I don't understand why you would want to use a dye that isn't colorfast though. Lots of new terms being learned...You didn't mention these aspects, isn't this part of the science of natural dying? Why did your video only use mordant for the dead bug dye and not the cabbage? Thank you : )

[@k.laverdiere715]

finally a good video! been searching through dye videos and was bored by watching inexperienced people mess up

[@alexyi8662]

word tbh fam

[@filmeiumfilme]

I think is not working because some steps are not okay.

[@TechsScience]

It will fade out faster than usual

[@ebuibaa782]

50 % chep

[@joolion8178]

9 years later youre not allowed to use the bugs anymore rip

[@val1702]

no apron, no gloves, even if it's natural materials it's not safe studio practices....

[@heenapathan7945]

But colours gi

[@imbrad4449]

erm.. can i use coffee to make it black? ._.

[@katiemackinnon4083]

+akatsuki nagato Coffee wont produce a black colour, it will be more of a light brown. Try activated charcoal to get black.

[@francesb7515]

A very beautiful very dark purple can be obtained from logwood.

[@TheSuperlativeMind]

Sahara is hella cute

[@flashback554]

No

[@stimpyfeelinit]

milkies

[@KowboyUSA]

She's a byte size cutie.

[@brycethomas1138]

lol ummmmmmmm......

[@znycelondon5313]

Very disappointing......did she really take the cabbage out fork by fork.....🤔🤔🤔 Colours very weak. 👎🏾

[@belladonna1083]

400,000 dollars in student loans wasted to learn how to NOT dye textile the color they could have should have been...

[@Roy-yh2uf]

MINECRAFT

[@julianchoque7402]

you hardly say anything about mordants which is involved in the catch phrase....thums down!! put a little more effort in your life!!...

[@alexisasheep6554]

She's cute

[@mayabrown3741park]

This was wack. The basics were not really taught.

[@deepakkashyap3954]

quite inexperienced

[@MrSatukali]

Boring

[@reggie8370]

She looks hotter in the thumbnail. False advertising

[@judichristopher4604]

And... YOU needed to be RUDE for what reason???

[@belladonna1083]

400,000 dollars in student loans wasted to learn how to NOT dye textile the color they could have should have been...