The Magic of Onion Skins: My Favorite Beginner Natural Dye
Beauty in the everyday
It still amazes me how much color hides in the ordinary.
Take the papery skins from an onion — the part most of us toss without a thought. Add a little heat and water, and suddenly, there’s gold.
Onion skins are my favorite beginner natural dye because you already have everything you need. No fancy equipment, no special mordants necessary — just scraps from dinner, a small pot, and a bit of curiosity. The yellow skins make shades of buttery yellow to gold, depending on the concentration of the dye bath and the length of time the fiber stays in the dye.
How to Dye with Onion Skins
You’ll need:
- A small handful of onion skins (yellow skins = warm golds, red skins = rosy browns)
- A stainless steel or enamel pot
- Water
- Small fabric or yarn sample (cotton, linen, or wool work well)
Steps:
- Collect your onion skins.
- Simmer them in a small pot of water for 30–45 minutes.
- Strain out the skins, leaving behind your golden dye bath.
💡 Tip: Try adding a pinch of alum if you have it on hand — it can help deepen and fix the color.
4. Dip in your fabric or yarn — and watch the color bloom- Simmer gently for 30 mins and leave overnight for deeper colors
Why I love it
Every time I do this, I feel that little spark of awe again. Beauty really does hide in the everyday — and this humble dye reminds me that creativity often starts in the kitchen sink.
If you’ve been curious about natural dyeing but don’t know where to start, onion skins are the perfect first step.
KEEP EXPLORING
Want to discover more easy kitchen dyes?
👉 Download my free guide: 3 Things You Can Dye With That You Already Have at Home.
Stay in the Loop
If you enjoyed this little moment of kitchen alchemy, you might like what we’re growing next.
I share behind-the-scenes farm life, natural dye experiments, flower stories, and early access to classes and seasonal offerings — straight from the field and studio.
