Best Natural Fabric Dyes of 2025

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Natural fabric dyes are a great way to add a unique touch to your textiles while also being environmentally friendly. These dyes are made from natural ingredients such as plants, fruits, and vegetables, and do not contain any harmful chemicals or toxins. They come in a variety of colors, from earthy browns and greens to vibrant pinks and blues. Not only do they create beautiful colors, but they can also have health benefits such as soothing skin conditions and reducing stress. Natural fabric dyes are a great choice for those who want to make a difference in the world while still enjoying beautiful textiles.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Natural Fabric Dyes
Honey Oak Fabric Tie Dye Kit
Get creative with this Honey Oak Fabric Tie Dye Kit that contains 3 natural and non-toxic dye colors - Indigo, Sunflower Yellow, and Turkey Red. The dye is made from 100% natural sources and is safe for all ages to enjoy the fun of dyeing clothing. The colors are vibrant and permanent, ensuring that they stay bright even after repeated machine washings. This multi-purpose kit is perfect for all types of fabrics and DIY projects, and it comes with easy-to-follow instructions, gloves, elastic bands, and more. From t-shirts to pillowcases, the possibilities are endless!
Jacquard iDye Ecru - 0.49 Oz
Jacquard iDye Ecru is a user-friendly dye solution designed for natural fabrics. It comes in a convenient dissolvable packet, eliminating the hassle of dealing with messy powders. You can easily dissolve the packet in a dye bath or toss it in your washing machine, simplifying the dyeing process. This hot water dye produces vibrant colors on various natural materials like cotton, silk, and linen, making it perfect for rejuvenating old garments or experimenting with over-dyeing techniques. Each packet is capable of dyeing 2-3 pounds of dry fabric, providing great value for your creative projects.
Honey Oak Indigo Tie Fabric Dye Kit
Honey Oak Tie Dye Kit is a natural and non-toxic dyeing kit that allows you to create vibrant and long-lasting colors on various fabrics. Made from 100% natural sources, this dye is safe for people of all ages to use. The kit includes easy-to-follow instructions, making it simple to create your own unique patterns on clothing, accessories, and home decor items. With the included wooden clips, thread, and rubber bands, you have everything you need to get started. This Honey Oak Tie Dye Kit also makes a perfect gift for any occasion, providing endless hours of fun and creativity for both kids and adults.
Shepherd Textiles Cochineal Natural Dye
Shepherd Textiles Cochineal Natural Dye is a must-have for fabric dyeing enthusiasts. Made of one ounce of natural, top-grade Peruvian cochineal, this dye produces a stunning range of fuchsias, scarlets, and crimsons. With one ounce, you can dye a pound of yarn to a deep, intense red, making it a cost-effective option for large-scale dyeing projects. This natural dye is perfect for those who are looking for a more eco-friendly approach to fabric dyeing.
Jacquard iDye for Natural Fabrics - Olive
Revive your faded garments with Jacquard iDye for Natural Fabrics in Olive. This hot water dye comes in a dissolvable packet, making it easy to use without handling messy powders. It works on a variety of natural fabrics like cotton, silk, linen, and rayon, and can dye up to 2-3 pounds of dry fabric per packet. Whether you use it on the stove or in the washing machine, iDye produces brilliant colors and is perfect for over-dyeing techniques. Plus, with the option to use Color Remover or Sun Blocker laundry aids, you can customize your dyeing experience even further.
Honey Oak Natural Fabric Dye Set
The Honey Oak Fabric Dye offers a safe and non-toxic option for all your dyeing projects. Made from 100% natural ingredients, you can feel confident letting kids join in on the fun. With a vibrant selection of colors, you can create eye-catching designs that last, even after multiple washes. This dye is versatile, working well with various fabrics like cotton and silk, making it perfect for everything from clothing to crafts. Plus, the easy-to-follow instructions ensure that you can get started right away, simplifying the dyeing process for everyone.
Shepherd Textiles Indigo Extract Natural Dye
Shepherd Textiles Indigo Extract Natural Dye is an ecologically produced, sustainably grown dye that yields a range of beautiful blues, from light sky blues to dark midnight blues. Certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), this one-ounce dye is perfect for dyeing silk, wool, and cotton. The spent leaves are composted, and the extraction water is returned to the next crop, making this a truly environmentally friendly product. Please note that an active reduction vat is required to use this dye as a fabric dye only and not for use as a hair or skin dye.
Shepherd Textiles Mulberry Leaf Extract Natural Dye, 1 oz.
The Shepherd Textiles Mulberry Leaf Extract Natural Dye is a wonderful choice for those who want to dye their silk or wool fabric naturally. This 1 oz. all-natural mulberry leaf extract is capable of producing a range of beautiful green colors, from pale jade to lime to dark forest green. The natural green chlorophyll in mulberry leaves produces chlorophyllin which is the main ingredient of this dye. Just 5% weight-of-fabric (WOF) will give jade greens or forest greens, depending on the fiber type and mordanting. This dye provides a convenient and eco-friendly way to color your fabric.
S.E.I. Natural Fade Tie Dye Kit, 8 Colors
The S.E.I. Natural Fade Tie Dye Kit is a must-have for anyone who loves to create their own unique clothing designs. This kit includes 8 neon assorted colors of water-based dye, which means they are non-toxic and easy to clean up. You don't have to mix them with salts or hot water, they're pre-mixed and ready to use. With just one kit, you can dye up to 20 shirts and the colors remain bright and vibrant even after repeated washes. The fabric spray bottles are assembled in the USA.
Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit, 8-Color
The Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit is an easy craft activity that includes 8 colors in an earthy palette, gloves, rubber bands, and an inspiration guide. The NONTOXIC dyes only require tap water to activate, and there's no need to presoak fabrics in soda ash before tie-dyeing. The dyes work best on natural-fiber fabrics, such as cotton, rayon, and silk, and are safe to machine wash while retaining their bright colors through repeated washings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What can I use to dye fabric naturally?
There are various natural ingredients that can be used to dye fabric. Some examples include blueberries and blackberries for blue dyes, raspberries and beets for red dyes, lemon and orange peels, as well as turmeric for yellow and ochre dyes, and spinach leaves for green dye.
2. What natural dyes do not need a mordant?
Some natural dyes that do not require a mordant include onion skins, avocado skins and pits, as well as plant-based dyes like madder root and eucalyptus leaves. These dyes can produce colors such as bright yellow, burgundy reds, and olive green without the need for a mordant.
3. What is the most natural mordant?
Tannins, which naturally occur in plants, are commonly used as a mordant for natural dyes. When dyeing fibers like wool or cotton with natural dyes, a mordant or fixative is needed to help set the dye on the fabric, and tannins can serve this purpose effectively.
4. What does vinegar do to fabric dye?
Vinegar, with its acidic properties, is often used to set fabric dye and reduce fading. When applied to fabric, vinegar helps to fix the dye, making it less likely to fade over time.
5. Is salt or vinegar better for dyeing fabric?
The choice between using salt or vinegar for dyeing fabric depends on the type of fabric being dyed. Salt is recommended for fabrics like cotton, rayon, ramie, or linen, while vinegar is suggested for fabrics like nylon, silk, or wool. Adding salt or vinegar to the dyeing process can enhance the color and help set the dye on the fabric.
6. How can I dye my fabric black without dye?
To dye fabric black without using commercial dyes, you can use iris roots. Simply place the fabric in a pot with a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water, and simmer for 1 hour. Then rinse the fabric under cool water to remove excess vinegar. This natural dyeing method can create a black color on the fabric.
7. What is a substitute for mordant?
An alternative to metal mordants is tannins, which can be found in leaves, seeds, roots, and stems of various plants. While they may not form insoluble bonds with fibers like metal mordants, tannins can enhance lightfastness in natural dyeing.
8. Can I use vinegar as a mordant?
No, vinegar cannot be used as a mordant. Although vinegar is a modifier that can alter the pH of the dye, it does not function as a mordant. A mordant is necessary to help set the dye on the fabric, and vinegar does not serve this purpose.
During our natural fabric dye research, we found 24 natural fabric dye products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 23,840 customer reviews through our big data system to write the natural fabric dyes list. We found that most customers choose natural fabric dyes with an average price of $22.55.
The natural fabric dyes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of natural fabric dyes, including Honey Oak, Jacquard, Shepherd Textiles, TULIP. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 9 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.