How to Dye Clothes With Turmeric at Home

Silk Slip Before the Dyeing Process

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Step 1

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1. Get your supplies in order.

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Steps 2, 3, 4, and 5

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2. Dissolve alum in warm water in your dye vat, and keep stirring until the powder has been completely dissolved.

3. Hand-wash silk slip gently in warm water with a dash of soap, and rinse well.

4. Soak the silk in the alum water pot for at least one hour. You can leave it in there overnight and dye the next day for the best results.

5. Remove silk from alum, and reserve mordant water for reuse if you'd like.

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Step 6

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6. Fill dye pot halfway with warm water, and add the turmeric powder. The tablespoon should be enough to dye one slip or large scarf.

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Step 7

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7. Bring to a simmer, turn down the stove to low, and then add your silk, immersing it completely and making sure all of it submerges below water, using the stirring stick.

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Step 8

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8. Soak silk in the dye vat for at least 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. Turn the stove off after 10-15 minutes of dyeing. You can soak longer if desired to achieve a more saturated shade. I left these slips in the bath overnight.

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Step 9

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9. Remove silk and rinse the scarf until the water runs almost clear. If you're dyeing several things together in the same colour, you can put them in the cold rinse cycle in the machine (delicate cycle only!).

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Step 10

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10. Hang dry and iron or steam the silk slip, and enjoy! The turmeric smell can be strong and may stay on the fabric for quite a while. This is part of the charm of natural dyeing and part of the healing, Ayurvedic aspect of turmeric-dyed cloth.

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Wear On Repeat!

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