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A Step-by Step Guide to Mimosa Dyeing for Fabric, Yarns, and Clothing
A Step-by Step Guide to Mimosa Dyeing for Fabric, Yarns, and Clothing
Step 1: Collect Your Supplies
A large container, a stainless steel or enamel pot works well.
Strainer or cheesecloth: Helps filter out bark bits from the dye bath.
Mordant (optional but highly recommended): Substances like alum or iron sulfate improve dye adherence to fabric.
Stirring Tool: A long wooden spoon or similar stirrer.
Measuring spoon.
Gloves: Protect your hands from dye stains.
Step 2: Prepare the Mimosa Dye Bath
Boil the water: Fill your pot with water and bring it to a boil
Add the Mimosa Bark: Once the water is boiling, add the mimosa bark. A good ratio is approximately 100 grams of bark for every liter of water. The more you use the richer the colors will be.
Simmer the Dye Bath: Lower the heat and let it simmer gently for 1 to 2 hours. The longer it simmers, the deeper the color will be.
Strain the Dye Bath: Once the simmering is complete, remove the bark by straining the dye through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer. This step ensures you have a clean dye bath, ready for dyeing fabric.
Step 3: Prepare the Fabric
Wash the Fabric: Start by cleaning the fabric with a mild detergent to remove any oils, dirt, or residues that could affect the dyeing process.
Not pre-washing is one of the biggest causes of a splotchy result. We recommend washing even if the fabric, yarns, and clothing reads “Prepared for dyeing” for best results.
Mordant the Fabric: To help the dye bond to the fabric, use a mordant.
Dissolve alum or iron sulfate in water as per the package instructions and soak the fabric in this solution for about an hour. Once mordanting is complete, rinse the fabric thoroughly.
Step 4: Dye the Fabric
Submerge the Fabric: Place the fabric into the dye bath, making sure it is fully submerged, yet your fabrics can still move around freely. Stir to ensure even dye distribution.
Simmer and Stir: Keep the dye bath at a gentle simmer and stir frequently for even color distribution. The length of time the fabric spends in the dye bath will determine the color intensity.
For lighter shades, 30 minutes to 1 hour may be enough, while deeper colors typically require 1 to 2 hours. You can also soak your MHRB dye overnight for the darkest shades.
You can save your dye bath and re-use it for lighter shades in the future. So, plan for that if you wish to.
Remove and Rinse: When you’ve achieved your desired color, take the fabric out of the dye bath and rinse it in cold water until the water runs clear.
Dry the Fabric: Hang the fabric to dry in a shaded area to prevent fading or use a tumble dryer on a low setting if you prefer.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Unlock your creativity with these simple steps to create stunning, naturally dyed textiles using Mimosa Bark. This process empowers you to embrace the art of natural dyeing and infuse your fabric, yarns, and clothing projects with your unique touch. Enjoy the endless possibilities by experimenting with various mordants and dyeing times to achieve a captivating range of rich and alluring colors, including exquisite shades and tints of purple, pink, and brown.
My textiles are typically always coming out dark brown , almost black., how can I achieve a plum or burgundy color and can it be used in a spray bottle? I’m wanting to dye the fabric in a jewelry box
Hi Roxanne,
Mimosa hostilis can create beautiful plum, burgundy, and reddish tones — but getting those colors (instead of the usual dark brown/black) requires controlling a few key factors: concentration, pH, fabric type, and how the dye is applied.
Below is a clear guide so you can shift your color results toward plum/burgundy and safely use it in a spray bottle for something small like the fabric inside a jewelry box.
🌸 Why You Keep Getting Dark Brown/Black
Mimosa hostilis naturally contains very strong tannins and natural pigments. Undiluted, or used hot, or used with iron-contaminated water, it can easily go near-black.
You likely get very dark results because of:
✔ Strong dye concentration
✔ Hot extraction
✔ Long soak time
✔ Hard water or metal contamination
✔ Using cotton or other cellulose fibers without modifiers
🎨 How to Shift Mimosa Hostilis Toward Plum or Burgundy
1️⃣ Use a Much Lighter Dye Bath (Low Concentration)
For burgundy shades, think tea strength, not syrup strength.
Try:
1–2 teaspoons of powder per cup of hot water, not tablespoons
Let it rest for 20–30 min
Strain very well (coffee filter or fine cloth)
A weaker bath = more reddish + less brown.
2️⃣ Adjust the pH to Make It Redder
Mimosa becomes more red/purple in slightly acidic conditions.
Add 1–3 teaspoons of white vinegar per cup of dye solution.
This shifts tones from brown → red → plum.
➡ Avoid baking soda or alkaline water.
➡ Avoid metal pots (they turn it darker).
3️⃣ Use Warm, Not Hot, Extraction
Heat brings out the darkest pigments.
For red or plum shades:
Use warm water (120°F / 50°C max)
Avoid simmering or boiling
4️⃣ Fabric Type Matters
Mimosa attaches differently depending on the fiber.
For the brightest crimson/plum tones:
Best → Silk, wool, rayon, modal
More brown → Cotton, linen, canvas
If the jewelry box lining is synthetic (polyester/microfiber), the color may sit more like a stain, not a true dye.
5️⃣ Do NOT Oversoak
A quick dip keeps it light and reddish.
Try:
5–15 minutes only
The longer it sits, the darker and browner it gets.
Can You Use Mimosa Hostilis Dye in a Spray Bottle?
Yes — absolutely.
It actually works really well as a spray stain/dye for small items like jewelry-box fabric.
Tips for Spray Use:
✔ Mix a weak dye solution (tea-colored)
✔ Add a splash of vinegar (boosts red tones + helps fixation)
✔ Strain the liquid super thoroughly — otherwise your sprayer will clog
✔ Use a fine-mist bottle for even distribution
✔ Build color slowly with multiple light passes
Most important:
Spray → let dry → evaluate → add more layers
This avoids sudden dark patches.
🟣 Recipe for a Plum/Burgundy Spray Dye (Small Batch)
For ~1 cup (240 ml):
1–2 tsp mimosa hostilis powder
1 cup warm distilled water
1–2 tsp white vinegar
Optional: a drop of alcohol to speed drying
Steps:
Mix powder + warm water
Let sit 20 minutes
Strain through coffee filter
Add vinegar
Put in spray bottle
Test on scrap fabric first
Apply in thin layers until you reach the plum tone you want.
🧼 Fixing / Setting the Color
For plant dyes:
Mist lightly with vinegar water after spraying
Let dry 12–24 hours
Heat-set gently with a hair dryer, or just let it cure naturally
I hope this helps!