11 Ways to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally
Skip the kit and instead try coloring your Easter eggs with coffee, onions, blueberries, and more items from the cupboard and fridge.
from Baking Soda, Banana Peels, Baby Oil and Beyond
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Basic Egg Coloring How-to
1. Gently wash eggs with soapy water and dry. 2. Place a single layer of eggs in a non-metal pot with the dye (see next slides for colors and sources). 3. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar to 1 quart water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes, and remove pot from burner. If you like the color as it is, dab off excess dye with a paper towel and set the eggs on a rack to dry. To deepen the color, leave eggs in the pot until cool. To get even richer shades, put cool eggs in a bowl, strain the dye water, and pour it over the eggs. Store the submerged eggs in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
Note: Quantities are based on 1 quart of liquid. Amounts of dyeing ingredients are approximate; more dyestuff and longer dye baths produce the deepest colors. All boiled eggs should be stored in the refrigerator, and any that have soaked in hot or warm water for several hours should not be eaten.
1. Gently wash eggs with soapy water and dry. 2. Place a single layer of eggs in a non-metal pot with the dye (see next slidesÉ
© Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #1: Brewed coffee
Quantity: 1 quart strong coffee plus water to cover the eggs
Color: Brown
<b>Quantity:</b> 1 quart strong coffee plus water to cover the eggs<br><b>Color:</b> Brown
© Alexandra Grablewski/Lifesize/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #2: Blueberries
Quantity: Up to 4 cups
Color: Lavender
<b>Quantity:</b> Up to 4 cups<br><b>Color:</b> Lavender
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #3: Yellow onion skins
Quantity: Up to 4 packed cups
Color: Sienna
<b>Quantity:</b> Up to 4 packed cups<br><b>Color:</b> Sienna
© Hemera/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #4: Beet juice
Quantity: Half strength or more of the vinegar water
Color: Deep pink
<b>Quantity:</b> Half strength or more of the vinegar water<br><b>Color:</b> Deep pink
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #5: Cranberry juice
Quantity: Full-strength
Color: Light pink
<b>Quantity:</b> Full-strength<br><b>Color:</b> Light pink
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #6: Paprika
Quantity: 3 tablespoons or more
Color: Brick red
<b>Quantity:</b> 3 tablespoons or more<br><b>Color:</b> Brick red
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #7: Turmeric
Quantity: 3 or more tablespoons
Color: Yellow-green
<b>Quantity:</b> 3 or more tablespoons<br><b>Color:</b> Yellow-green
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #8: Purple grape juice
Quantity: Half or more of the liquid
Color: Blue-gray
<b>Quantity:</b> Half or more of the liquid<br><b>Color:</b> Blue-gray
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #9: Red cabbage
Quantity: 4 or more cups, chopped (boil and then soak overnight)
Color: Robin's egg blue
<b>Quantity:</b> 4 or more cups, chopped (boil and then soak overnight) <br><b>Color:</b> Robin'sÉ
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #10: Spinach or grass
Quantity: Up to 4 cups
Color: Green
<b>Quantity:</b> Up to 4 cups<br><b>Color:</b> Green
© Goodshoot/Thinkstock
Natural Easter Egg Dye #11: Red wine
Quantity: Full strength or diluted with water only
Color: Deep purple
<b>Quantity:</b> Full strength or diluted with water only<br><b>Color:</b> Deep purple