DIY Vegetable Dyeing on Raffia: 2 Recipes + Natural Palette

Adopting plant-based dyes is a step toward authenticity, eco-responsibility, and the promotion of expertise spanning generations. Whether you're a craftsman, designer, or just curious, here are two 100% natural dye recipes, specially adapted to raw raffia, a high-quality plant fiber that's particularly receptive to color.

Why choose plant-based dyes for your creations?

• Eco-responsible : without heavy metals or toxic waste, it respects water cycles.
• Healthy : no synthetic additives, ideal for objects in contact with skin.
• Unique : each bath gives slightly different shades, a reflection of craftsmanship.
• Cultural : you participate in the transmission of age-old knowledge present in Africa.

🔧 Equipment & Preparation

• Raw raffia : 100 g (previously washed)
• Water : 3 L (water:fiber ratio ≃ 30:1)
• Mordants : Potassium alum (10–30% of recommended dry weight) Iron sulfate (1–2%) for darkening or modifying shades
• Potassium alum (10–30% of recommended dry weight)
• Iron sulfate (1–2%) to darken or modify shades
• Utensils: stainless steel or enameled saucepan, wooden spoon, scales, colander, gloves, glass or stainless steel container. We use rusty nails.

🌼 Recipe 1 – Light Yellow with Onion Peels (alum mordant)

Ingredients :

• 200 g yellow onion peels
• 10–30 g of alum (per 100 g of raffia)
• 3 L of water

Steps:

1. Mordanting with alum

• Dilute the alum in 500 mL of lukewarm water (50°C).
• Gently heat the bath to 80–90°C.
• Add the raffia and hold for 1 hour.
• Drain, but do not rinse.

2. Extraction of the dye

• Chop the peels and cover them with cold water.
• Heat to 90°C without boiling vigorously.
• Let simmer for 45–60 min, then filter.

3. Dyeing

• Immerse the raffia in the colored bath at 80°C.
• Keep for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Then let stand for 8–12 hours for oxidation.
• Rinse with clean water and dry in the shade.

🎨 Result : A bright, golden to coppery yellow, perfect for natural creations.

👉 Discover our hand-dyed placemat made from onion peels here .

💙 Recipe 2 – Blue with Indigo Leaves (iron mordant)

Ingredients :

• 150 g fresh indigo leaves
• 2g iron sulfate (optional for darkening)
• 8g alum (optional for balance)
• 3 L of water

⚠️ Note : True deep blue indigo normally requires an alkaline vat (with lime or ash). This simplified method produces blue-green or turquoise tones depending on conditions.

Steps:

1. Iron etching

• Dilute 2 g of iron sulfate + 8 g of alum in 500 mL of lukewarm water.
• Heat to 55–60°C.
• Immerse the raffia and hold for 1 hour.
• Drain without rinsing.

2. Preparation of the indigo bath

• Rehydrate the leaves in cold water for 2 hours.
• Heat gently to 70–80°C for 45 min.
• Filter the bath.

3. Dyeing

• Dip the raffia into the filtered bath.
• Keep at 75°C for 1 hour.
• Leave to stand in the bath for 10–12 hours to promote oxidation.
• Rinse gently and dry flat in the shade.

🎨 Result : A deep blue with bluish/purple reflections depending on the oxidation conditions, sometimes tending towards dark green if iron is dominant.

👉 See our Spirit handbag dyed with indigo leaves here .

🧼 Care instructions for your dyed fibers

• Washing : Hand wash with neutral water. Add a little natural soap if necessary.
• Temperature : Lukewarm water (30–40°C maximum), no washing machine or dryer.
• Drying : Always lay flat and in the shade to avoid discoloration.
• Storage : Protect your pieces from direct light and prolonged humidity when not wearing them. Use our OQENA protective pouch to safely store your bags.

🎨 Express Palette of Vegetable Dyes

💡 Tip : Play with the concentration of the mordant, the infusion time or the combinations to obtain infinite shades. Potassium alum fixes the pigments on the fiber and gives light, luminous or golden shades. The more concentrated it is, the more vivid the colors appear. Iron sulfate , on the other hand, darkens the colors: used in small quantities, it darkens them slightly; in higher doses, it transforms a yellow into green or a red into a deep brown. It also acts as a color modifier.

🌍 A Sustainable & Creative Approach

Dyeing raffia with natural ingredients is much more than an aesthetic gesture. It affirms an artisanal approach that respects the environment, while reconnecting with deeply rooted textile traditions. Whether you opt for a luminous yellow, a mysterious blue, or a shade of your own creation, each dyed fiber becomes a living work of art. Wear nature with you!

🍃 Bonus Video: Dyeing Naturally with Avocado Skins

Want to discover another easy-to-try plant-based dyeing method at home? This video shows you how to dye textiles with avocado skins and pits , a surprisingly effective zero-waste technique for achieving warm pink and beige tones:

▶️ Watch the video on YouTube: Botanical Dyeing with Rebecca Desnos .

🎒 Ready to create?

Explore our handmade plant-based dye creations in our OQENA store, and start creating with nature 🌿