Are you interested in dyeing your first garment or accessory with plant-based dyes, but don't know where to start? Then black tea is a great place to start. You don't need any special ingredients or experience. Just a few tea bags, water, and a little patience.

Why tea?

Black tea reliably dyes warm beige to brown tones—especially on cotton. The best part: It's found in almost every kitchen. And because tea contains tannins, you don't need any additional mordant for your first experiment (although our textiles are already prepared).

This is what you need

• 5 to 6 tea bags (black tea) or about 3 tablespoons of loose tea

• A cooking pot (not aluminum)

• Water

• A strainer or spoon for removing the tea bags

• Your garment or accessory (preferably moistened beforehand)

How it works

1. Boil tea

   Pour the tea into the pot and cover it with water (approx. 1-2 liters, depending on the amount of fabric).

   Heat the water and let the tea simmer gently for about 30 minutes.

2. Extend brewing time (optional)

   If you like, you can simply let the pot sit overnight. This will intensify the color.

3. Strain the tea

   Remove the tea bags or loose tea leaves using a strainer.

4. Insert textiles

   Place your damp garment in the warm tea water. Move it occasionally and watch the color slowly change. The longer it sits in the bath, the darker the shade will become. You can also leave it in the dye bath overnight.

5. Check result & rinse

   Remove the fabric when you like the color. Rinse it with clean water and let it air dry.

Even coloring – a few tips

Natural colors are vibrant. It's perfectly normal for a fabric to not be exactly the same color throughout. If you want to achieve the most calm, even surface possible, these tips will help:

• Moisten your textile well before dyeing

• Avoid strong folds or creases in the fabric

• Move the fabric regularly during dyeing

• Make sure it is completely covered with dye solution

• It is better to dye a single piece per pot if you are still practicing

Even if it's not perfectly even, the result is unique. It's precisely the small irregularities that make your piece vibrant and authentic.

Notes

• Our textiles are already stained – you can get started right away.

• The color usually becomes slightly lighter when it dries.

• The more tea you use and the longer the fabric stays in the dye bath, the richer the result will be.

• The tone is usually between light beige and warm light brown.

Conclusion

Dyeing with tea is uncomplicated, inexpensive, and easy to control. It's ideal for your first DIY dyeing project—and for children and adults alike. If you like, you can also experiment with different types of tea.

Colored with black tea: