Mulberry Leaf Extract (Chlorophyllin)

Shepherd Textiles Mulberry Leaf Extract is made from the natural chlorophyll found in the leaves of morus alba, the common mulberry tree. Chlorophyll itself is a poor textile dye because it is insoluble in water and turns brown when heated or exposed to sunlight. However, when dried mulberry leaves are cooked in a weak mordant bath of copper sulfate, the chlorophyll bonds with the copper to create stable sodium copper chlorophyllin. Chlorophyllin made from mulberry leaves is a dark green powder with a strong smell of green tea. It dissolves easily in water and keeps its brilliant green hue, even when heated. Chlorophyllin binds quickly to fibers that have been well-mordanted with alum. Use at 5% weight-of-fabric for medium hunter greens, or 2% for pale jade greens and lime greens. Our Mulberry Leaf Extract is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for use on fibers that will be labeled “organic.”

Before using, please read our Guide to Dyeing with Mulberry Leaf Extract for color recipes, background, and safety information.

Product of India.