Onion Peel Extract

Shepherd Textiles Onion Peel Extract is made from yellow onion skins—the same kind you would find at the grocery store. Onion skins get their color from a set of chemical compounds called anthocyanins, the compounds that also give many berries and fruits their dark color. The anthocyanins in onion skins are strong fabric dyes, and they can be extracted simply by simmering the skins in water. However, it takes a lot of onion skins to dye fabric: the usual ratio is 1:1, which means it takes a pound of onion peels to dye a pound of yarn. Our Onion Peel Extract is the perfect solution for natural dyers who always forget to save their onion skins while cooking. Each ounce of extract has the concentrated dyestuff of a full pound of onion skins, and will dye a pound of fiber to deep yellow-orange or brown color. It is an excellent choice for beginning natural dyers who prefer not to worry about mordanting, dyers who prefer entirely natural dyeing processes, and even advanced dyers who enjoy experimenting with mordants and modifiers to get different shades. It is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and is appropriate for dyeing fabrics that will be labeled “organic.”

Before using, please read our Guide to Dyeing With Onion Peel Extract for instructions, recipes, and important safety information.

Product of India.