What is Naturally Dyed (Plant-Based) Fabric?
Naturally dyed or plant-based-dyed fabric is coloured using plant pigments. This method differs from synthetic dyes, human-made chemicals used in up to 99% of clothing sold in stores. While synthetic dyes have advantages and disadvantages, naturally dyed clothing is often considered unique due to its rich earth tones that are difficult to replicate in a lab. You may be wondering how to care for naturally dyed fabric.
How Should I Wash My Naturally Dyed Clothing?
Your washing method will depend on your commitment to preserving the fabric’s original colour.
Tip #1: Set Your Expectations
Remember that all living things, including plants and animals, undergo physical changes over time. Just as our skin, hair, and tissues continuously change, the colours extracted from plants will also evolve. It is essential to acknowledge that naturally dyed clothing will not retain its original colour indefinitely.
When wearing naturally dyed clothing, you may notice that the colours shift and fade over time. Factors such as prolonged contact with skin (which can produce acidity) and exposure to sunlight (UV light) can chemically alter the dyes, slightly changing the fabric’s hue.
You can safely use a washing machine on a gentle cycle. The best method for washing naturally dyed fabric while preserving its colour is to use cold water and a mild, pH-neutral detergent. As earthy materials are constantly in flux, many appreciate the natural changes in colour over time as they contribute to the piece’s beauty. If you accidentally use hot water or prefer to use your usual laundry detergent, be aware that You may lose a small amount of colour with each wash.
Drying Methods: Pros and Cons
Machine Drying:
Pros: It softens natural fabrics like cotton and linen and has a quick drying time (less than 20 minutes if dried alone with a dry towel).
Cons: It can cause small amounts of shrinkage with each drying cycle, and high heat or repeated heating may fade natural colours over time. However, faded earth tones can still be beautiful.
Tips: If concerned about shrinkage and fading, dry the garment to about 80-90% and let it air dry. To counteract shrinkage, gently tug vertically on each section of the fabric while it is 80% dry.
Air Drying:
Pros: Helps maintain the original depth of colour for a longer time.
Cons: It takes longer to dry, requires space in your laundry room or bathroom, and should not be dried in direct sunlight if you want to minimize fading. The cotton or linen fabric may feel somewhat crisp after drying.
Tips: To soften the fabric, ball it up in your hands and rub it against itself; this loosens the fibres and improves softness.
When to Use a Steamer
Use a steamer rather than an iron if you have delicate or flowy clothing. Steamers are great for achieving a soft, drapey finish. They remove wrinkles using steam without direct contact with the garment, making them ideal for materials that can’t be ironed.
Pros: Steaming is generally faster and easier than ironing. It helps release wrinkles from fabrics that cannot endure the high heat and direct contact with iron, requiring less setup than ironing.
Cons: It’s more challenging to create sharp creases with steaming.
When to Use an Iron
Ironing presses wrinkles out of clothing, resulting in a sharper finish. This method works best on certain fabrics, like 100% cotton, which can withstand high heat.
Pros: The main advantage of using an iron is that it creates sharp creases. Ironing provides a crisp, flat finish that keeps you looking polished all day. Cons: Ironing is more technical, requires a more extensive setup, and can be a more time-consuming process.