How to Dye Fabric with Avocado Skins and Seeds

Materials & tools you'll need

Step 1 — Save and boil the avocado waste

Save your avocado skins and seeds as you go — they can be kept in a container or frozen ahead of time, so this project isn't time-sensitive at all. When you're ready to dye, place the avocado waste in a pot and cover it with water. Boil or simmer the mixture on the stove for about an hour, then let it sit for approximately 12 hours to allow the dye to fully develop. The longer you let it steep, the darker and richer the resulting color will be — using a larger quantity of avocado waste will also deepen the final shade.

Step 2 — Strain the dye

Once the dye has developed, strain the liquid into a bowl, removing the solid avocado skins and seeds and discarding them. What remains in the bowl is your finished avocado dye, ready to use on your pre-soaked fabric or yarn.

Step 3 — Soak the fabric in the dye

Submerge your pre-soaked fabric items — white or light-coloured cotton yarn, tape, or muslin all work well — into the strained avocado dye. Let them sit at room temperature for at least four hours, and ideally more than 12 hours, to allow as much pigment as possible to absorb into the fibers.

Step 4 — Rinse and dry

Remove the dyed items from the dye bath — wearing gloves here helps keep your hands from picking up the (harmless but lingering) avocado smell. Transfer the items to an empty bowl and gently squeeze them to get a first look at the color. Prepare a large bowl of cold water, or use your sink or tub, with about a teaspoon of a gentle, dye-free detergent. Squeeze out the excess dye and any loose fibers, then continue rinsing and squeezing under running water until the water runs clear. Once rinsing is complete, let the items air dry or put them in the dryer.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I let avocado dye develop before using it?
After boiling or simmering the avocado skins and seeds for about an hour, let the dye sit for approximately 12 hours to fully develop. The longer you let it steep, the darker and richer the resulting color will be.

How do I rinse and dry fabric dyed with avocado skins and seeds?
Squeeze out as much dye as possible, then rinse the item in a bowl of cold water with a small amount of gentle, dye-free detergent. Continue squeezing under running water until no more colored water comes out, then let the item air dry or put it in the dryer.

What colors can I expect from avocado skin and seed dye?
Avocado skins and seeds typically produce a soft brown-mauve color with hints of pink. Unbleached cotton tends to pick up especially beautiful, soft, leather-like tones compared to bleached white fabrics.

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