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Dye clothes with fungi

Dye clothes with fungi
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With adult help, use edible mushrooms and plant extracts to dye small fabric pieces, learning about natural colors, basic safety, and step-by-step dyeing techniques.

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Step-by-step guide to dye clothes with fungi

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Making Dyes From Natural Materials: Art and Science Experiment For Kids

What you need
Adult supervision required, fresh edible mushrooms such as oyster or chanterelle, jars or heatproof bowls, large saucepan, paper towels, plant colorants such as onion skins or beet slices, protective apron or old clothes, small natural fabric squares like silk or wool, strainer or metal sieve, tongs or wooden chopsticks, white vinegar, wooden spoon

Step 1

Lay paper towels on your work surface to protect it.

Step 2

Put on your protective apron or old clothes.

Step 3

Ask an adult to help and agree they will handle all hot pots and the stove.

Step 4

Choose one small fabric square made of silk or wool for this dye test.

Step 5

Rinse the fabric square under cool running water to remove dust.

Step 6

With your adult, place the fabric into a saucepan with 1 cup white vinegar and 4 cups water.

Step 7

With your adult, simmer the fabric gently in the vinegar bath for 30 minutes to mordant the fiber.

Step 8

With your adult, use tongs to lift the fabric from the saucepan.

Step 9

Place the hot fabric on a paper towel to cool slightly.

Step 10

Chop the edible mushrooms and plant colorants into small pieces.

Step 11

Put the chopped materials into a clean saucepan and cover them with 4 cups of water.

Step 12

With your adult, simmer the plant and mushroom mixture for 30 minutes to make the dye.

Step 13

Use a strainer to pour the hot dye liquid into a jar and discard the solids.

Step 14

Place the cooled mordanted fabric into the jar of dye and press it down so it is fully wet then cover the jar and let it sit for at least 1 hour.

Step 15

Remove the fabric rinse it under cool water until the water runs clear then lay it flat to dry and share your finished creation on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we can't find silk or wool for the small fabric square?

If you can't find silk or wool, use a small cotton square that has been pre-mordanted with alum (follow the alum package directions) because plain cotton treated only with the vinegar mordant in the saucepan step won't hold the mushroom dyes as well.

Why is my fabric coming out very pale or unevenly colored, and how do I fix it?

If the color is pale or uneven, make a stronger dye by simmering more chopped mushrooms and plant colorants in 4 cups water for longer than 30 minutes, press the cooled mordanted fabric fully under the dye liquid in the jar, and let it sit overnight instead of just 1 hour.

How can we adapt this activity for younger kids or older kids to make it safe and interesting?

For younger kids let an adult handle every saucepan and stove step while the child rinses, presses the fabric into the jar, and lays the finished fabric flat to dry, and for older kids have them test different mordants (vinegar vs alum) and compare dye results on silk versus cotton.

How can we make more interesting patterns or personalize our dyed fabric?

Create patterns by folding, tying, or clamping the hot mordanted fabric before placing it into the jar of dye and tuck in leaves or threads so that after rinsing and drying the fabric shows unique prints and textures.

Watch videos on how to dye clothes with fungi

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Dye Fabric (Immersion Dye Technique Tutorial)

4 Videos

Facts about natural dyeing for kids

⚠️ Never taste wild mushrooms while dyeing — always have an adult prepare and identify fungi and follow safety rules.

🧪 A mordant (often alum for safe home crafts) helps the dye bind to fabric and makes colors more colorfast.

🌿 Easy plant helpers for kid-friendly dyes include turmeric (bright yellow), onion skins (orange-brown), and avocado pits (soft pinks).

🎨 Natural dyes from plants and fungi have been used for thousands of years to color textiles around the world.

🍄 Some mushrooms (like dyer’s polypore and Cortinarius species) can dye fabric in shades from yellow, brown, red, and even deep purple.

How do I dye clothes with edible mushrooms and plant extracts with my child?

Start by choosing natural fibers (cotton, wool, silk) and pre-wash them. With adult help, chop edible mushrooms and simmer in water 30–60 minutes to extract color. Strain solids, add the wet fabric and gently simmer 30–60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool in the dye bath for deeper color, then rinse until water runs clear and air-dry. Optional: pre-mordant fabric with alum (follow product instructions); adults should handle hot pots and mordants.

What materials do I need to dye fabric with mushrooms and plant extracts?

You’ll need edible mushrooms (store-bought like shiitake or oyster), plant extras (onion skins, avocado pits, turmeric), small prewashed natural-fiber fabric pieces (cotton, wool, silk), a large stainless-steel pot, wooden spoon, fine strainer or cheesecloth, heatproof tongs, gloves, aprons, jars, measuring spoons, and optional mordant such as alum or white vinegar. Also have newspapers or a drop cloth for surface protection and adult supervision at all times.

What ages is mushroom and plant dyeing suitable for?

With adult help, sensory parts are fine for children around 5 and up; they can sort colors and press fabrics. Ages 8–12 can measure, stir cold steps, and help with rinsing. Teenagers can follow more of the process and learn basic dye science under supervision. Adults must handle hot dye baths, stoves, and mordants; tailor tasks to each child’s skill and attention level.

What safety precautions should we take when dyeing with fungi and plants?

Only use known edible, store-bought mushrooms—never wild ones unless an expert confirms them. Adults must manage boiling dye baths, stoves, and any mordants like alum. Wear gloves and aprons, work in a well-ventilated area, protect surfaces, and keep children away from hot pots. Never taste dye liquids, label containers, rinse hands after handling, and wash dyed items separately for their first wash. Test a small fabric sample first.
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