Leah Widdicombe
Jun 10, 20225 min
Updated: May 3, 2023
Clothing that has been labeled as "naturally dyed" (aka plant-dyed or botanically dyed) has been colored by pigments extracted from plants (in contrast to "synthetic dyes" which are human-made chemicals that are used to pigment up to 99% of clothing sold in stores-- and they have their pros and cons as well). Naturally dyed clothing is considered special and coveted because pigments from plants are very rich in earth tones that are difficult to achieve in the lab. But you might be wondering how to wash naturally dyed fabric...
It depends on how heart-set you are on preserving the exact color that it started as!
It's all about setting your expectations straight and seeing the garment as biotic; aka, a plant-based product that fluctuates like most everything else in nature.
See my tips for setting expectations, washing, drying, and ironing below!
After my first couple of years in the naturally dyed clothing biz,
Think about the physical fluctuations and lifespans that plants and animals go through; remember all life on earth reacts to the environments around it. The skin, hair, and tissues of our bodies are always moving, changing, growing, and dying -- we should expect the same for the pigments we extract from plants. While I do follow the gold standard for preparing my fibers for dyeing (through processes called "scouring" and "mordanting"), it should never be expected that naturally dyed clothing will keep its original color indefinitely, or even for the duration of the time you own it.
Throughout your friendship with your naturally dyed clothing, you can expect that the colors will shift and fade; when long hours are spent wrapped around your skin (which occasionally produces acidity) the dyes may alter chemically, shifting the hue of the fabric slightly. In addition, time spent in the sun (UV light) can lighten the fabric (just as it often changes the color of our hair, skin, etc). There are many other random reasons why the color may change over time-- for instance, a customer of mine spilled a clear sports drink on her romper that was dyed blue with black beans, and the chemical reaction turned the spot bright pink! However, she washed it right away and said it returned almost completely to the original blue.
I prefer to wash all of my clothing in the washing machine, and the safest way to wash naturally dyed clothing without stripping its color is with cold water and mild detergent (as ph neutral as possible). But remember, earthy materials are always in flux-- I truly accept and enjoy the changes of natural colors over time; it feels alive and adds transformative beauty to the piece. If you screw up and do a hot-water load or you aren't crazy about replacing your current laundry detergent, you may lose a tiny bit of color in each wash but you can always re-dye the piece later or accept the slightly lighter shade.
Suggestions for washing detergent:
Dish soap! Most dish soaps have a neutral ph level.
Or you can google "ph neutral laundry detergent" and choose the one that fits your needs and budget.
Soon, I will be publishing a guide about re-dying your naturally-dyed clothes after they have faded. I will be experimenting with this for the first time, actually, and will report back with the results!
To get updates about my experiences with re-dyeing, and to be the first to see new releases of my naturally dyed clothing line, sign up with your email below! You can also shop any of the naturally dyed styles photo'd here in my online store.