Dyeing Eggs with Natural Dyes
Make a rainbow of naturally dyed eggs or choose your favorite colors! This guide walks you through the process I used to naturally dye a dozen eggs. There are different ways to do this, but I’m sharing what worked for me so you can try it too!
Materials:
1 dozen white-shelled eggs
Pot for boiling eggs
Spoon for lifting eggs in and out of the dye
Pots for making dye baths (one per color, or make them in batches)
Various food scraps & plants for dyeing
A Quick Note on Dyeing in Your Kitchen
Normally, natural dyeing requires separate pots, but since we’re using edible materials, you can use your regular kitchen cookware. However, if you have designated dye pots, stick to food-safe ones for this project!
Natural Dye Color Options
Foods I used:
Beets → Red
Yellow onion skins (concentrated) → Dark orange
Yellow onion skins (diluted) → Light orange
Carrot tops → Yellow
Carrot tops + red cabbage → Green
Red cabbage → Blue
Purple carrots → Purple
Black beans → Blue/gray-ish
Other foods you can try:
Turmeric → Yellow/orange
Red onion skins → Green/brownish
Spent coffee grounds/expired tea → Browns
Pomegranate seeds → Pinky/red
Berries → Varies depending on the color of the berries
Mint → Green
Rosemary → Pinky/purple
Persimmons → Brown/red
🛑 Avoid Avocado Pits & Skins if you plan to eat your eggs—though great for fabric, they are not food-safe!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Dye Eggs Naturally
1. Hard Boil Your Eggs
Place eggs in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil.
Boil for 8-10 minutes, then remove and let them cool.
2. Make Your Natural Dye
Fill a pot with water and add your chosen dyestuff. (For onion skins, use a few handfuls in a regular saucepan.)
Simmer for 1-2 hours until you get a rich color.
Check color by lifting some dye water into a clear glass.
Strain out plant materials, keeping only the colored dye liquid.
3. Dye the Eggs
Pour the dye into a bowl, jar, or container deep enough to fully submerge the egg.
Place the egg into the dye and observe—what do you notice? (This is a fun step for kids!)
Refrigerate for at least 24 hours. (Less time = lighter color; patience pays off!)
Remove the egg, rinse gently, and admire your work!
Extra Fun: Decorating Your Eggs
Crayon Resist: Draw on the eggs with a white crayon before dyeing—the wax resists the color, leaving behind your design.
Cracked Shells: Lightly crack the shell before dyeing for a cool tie-dye effect.
Tape Designs: Apply small pieces of tape in patterns before dyeing for a unique resist look.
Share Your Results!
I’d love to see your beautifully dyed eggs! Share them with me:
📧 Email: ashley@themichigandyer.com
📷 Instagram: @themichigandyer (DM or tag me!)
Happy Dyeing!
💛 Ashley
