How to Make a Wood Ash Solution for Natural Dyeing

Materials & tools you'll need

Step 1 — Gather your ashes and container

Collect fully cooled ashes from a fireplace or campfire — make sure there's no remaining heat before handling them. Add the cooled ashes to a large glass container; a mason jar is a convenient size and lets you keep an eye on the solution as it develops.

Step 2 — Combine ashes and water

Cover the ashes with water, using roughly double the amount of water compared to the volume of ashes. Close the lid on the container tightly to keep the mixture contained while it steeps.

Step 3 — Let the solution steep

Store the sealed container in a cool, dry place for 1 to 2 weeks. Over this time the mixture will transform into a cloudy, slightly yellow-green solution as the alkaline compounds leach out of the ash and into the water.

Step 4 — Check that it's ready

The solution is ready to use once it reaches a highly alkaline pH — typically 11 to 15 or higher. Because the solution is caustic at this stage, wear protective gloves any time you're handling it, and avoid inhaling any ash dust during preparation.

Step 5 — Add it to your dye bath

Add anywhere from a quarter cup to a full cup of the wood ash solution to your existing dye bath, adjusting the amount based on how much you want to brighten the colour. Submerge your yarn or fiber in the modified bath — some dyes shift almost instantly, while others may take up to half an hour to reach the colour you're after.

Step 6 — Dye, rinse, and dry

Once your fiber has reached the desired shade, remove it from the bath as you normally would, rinse thoroughly, wash gently, and hang it to dry. You'll be left with a brighter version of your original dye colour, thanks to the alkaline boost from the wood ash solution.

Frequently asked questions

What does a wood ash solution actually do to natural dye colours?
A wood ash solution is highly alkaline, and adding it to a dye bath tends to brighten colours rather than darken them. For example, it can push a black walnut dyed skein from dark browns toward brighter orange tones, or push yellow shades up toward a bright lemon yellow.

What precautions should I take when handling wood ash solution?
Wood ash solution is caustic, with a pH that can reach 15, so it should be handled with care to avoid skin or eye irritation. Wear protective gloves whenever you're working with the solution, and avoid inhaling any ash dust while preparing it.

How is a wood ash solution different from an acidic solution like iron water?
Iron water is acidic and tends to darken and dull natural dye colours, while wood ash solution is highly alkaline and does the opposite — it brightens colours. The two are useful for pushing the same dye bath in very different directions depending on the effect you want.

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