Goldenrod Dye Bath
A bright, plant-based dye bath extracted from fresh goldenrod blossoms. Simmer the flowers to release color, strain, then dye pre-wetted fibers. Alum yields clear yellows; iron modifiers shift toward olive/green.
Equipment
- Large non-reactive pot (stainless steel)
- Second pot or bucket for straining
- Fine sieve or muslin cloth
- Stirring spoon (wood or stainless)
- Tongs or dye stick
- Gloves and apron
- Thermometer (optional)
- Bucket/bowl for pre-soaking fibers
Ingredients
- 200 g fresh goldenrod flowers roughly chopped
- 2 liters water
- Optional mordants: – For protein fibers wool/silk: alum 10–15% WOF
- Optional modifiers:
- – 1–2% iron ferrous sulfate of WOF for olive/greenish tones
- – 1 tsp vinegar for cooler yellow; 1 tsp baking soda for warmer yellow
Instructions
- Prepare fibers: Wash to remove finishes/oils. Pre-soak in clean water. Mordant if desired (see amounts above), rinse lightly, and keep damp.
- Extract dye: Combine chopped flowers and water in the stainless pot. Simmer gently (not a rolling boil) for 60 minutes.
- Strain: Pour through a sieve/muslin into a second vessel, press flowers lightly, then return the clear dye liquor to the dye pot.
- Dye: Add pre-wetted fibers to the bath. Maintain just under a simmer for 60–120 minutes, moving gently for even color. Do not boil wool.
- Cool & set: Remove from heat and let fibers cool in the bath 30–60 minutes.
- Rinse & dry: Lift out, rinse in cool water until clear, gently squeeze, and dry in the shade.
- Modify (optional): For olive tones, dip the damp fibers 5–10 minutes in a very weak iron bath (1–2% WOF), watching the shift closely, then rinse well.
Notes
- Yield: Goldenrod gives clear lemon-to-gold shades; pre-mordanted protein fibers take color deepest.
- pH effect: Slightly acidic (vinegar) shifts toward fresh, cooler yellow; slightly alkaline (baking soda) warms the tone.
- Clarity: Filtering the liquor reduces plant specks and yields cleaner color.
- Safety: Wear gloves; keep food and dye pots separate. Avoid copper/iron pots (they shift color). Ventilate well. Dispose of plant waste in household trash/compost—don’t dump into waterways.
- Scaling: For deeper shades, increase flowers (up to 300–400 g per 100 g fiber) or extend dye time.
- Light/wash fastness: Improves with proper mordanting. Let dyed items cure 1–2 days before first wash; use a gentle pH-neutral soap.