The curiosity surprises me that so many of the readers want to know about to dye bamboo basket naturally. So many of you have seen those beautiful colorful bamboo baskets for multipurpose uses in home. In the market, they are shown as dyed baskets, but bamboo naturally has just one color.
Actually, fresh bamboo comes with a natural wax coating, which automatically repels whatever color and dye you throw at them. Then what procedure should one really follow to stain the bamboo and make it look beautiful? Let’s take a look to the essentials that can dye bamboo basket naturally.
What Is A Natural Dye For Basketry
What Dyes Are There For Bamboo Basket?
There are different type of dyes that work for different materials like acid dyes, chemical dyes and plant base dyes or natural dyes. Acid dyes will only work for protein fibre, while, chemical dyes that are also known as “procion” are kind of modern dyes. They do not work for every fibre like protein fibre, but are ideal for the bast fibers and basketry fibres.
Plant Base Dye
These dyes except for chemical dyes are also good for basketry material. They are also known as natural dyes. The long lasting and best way to dye bamboo baskets naturally is to dye with plant base dye. They can be created from already available material like turmeric, coffee, tea, onions, and avocados. Avocados skins and pits both made different colors just like onion skin and onion fruit does. Walnut husk and butternut husk are best dyes for baskets. You just need to soak it and boil it for a brown color.
Basic Dyeing For Bamboo Basket From Natural Dyes
First of all, prepare the dye according the procedure like soaking, boiling and by preparing the dye bath for basketry. Now, soak the basket strips thoroughly in the dyeing solution for a longer period of time the chemical dyes. As you know natural dyes can take a bit longer than other dyes to soak in and leave the color evenly. Make sure to rinse and dry after the dye bath, and dry according to the required method.
Coloring Bamboo Strips With Natural Dyes
Prepare The Dye
Plant based dyes need to be pre soaked in a clean big pot with a lot of water for at least 12 to 24 hours before you start boiling them. For example, to prepare a brown dye, gather the walnut husk and soak it in water that is two times the amount of husk.
Add A Dash Of Alum
Alum is the right material to add in the boiling plants from which you are going to make your dye. This will not only pre treat the bamboo but will also keep the dye stain deep and long lasting. A little bit of alum with bamboo strips while you are washing them before dyeing can do the trcik too!
Keep The Dye Safe
Let this solution rest for at least 12 hours before you start boiling it. To get a splendid brown dye, boil it until the water remains half. This boiled material can be kept safe in fridge for longer period of time. If you keep it in an open space on room temperature, or in any atmosphere there is a high chance this solution can infest Mold. Natural dyes fades quickly than the chemical ones.
Test For Colorfastness And Lightfastness
This is really disappointing to know and see the natural dyes fading away real quick. Main reason is the effect of sun and UV rays. You must check the lightfastness on every natural dye you prepare yourself for bamboo basket. Apply some of the dye on the windowsill and keep the half of its side in the sun for a few days. Check for the lightfastness and fading of color before you color your basket.
Wear The Right Gear
When working with dyes, it is important to wear the right safety gear. Never ever use the aluminium pots for the dyeing procedure. Instead, use the enamel pots and wear gloves. Use an old set of clothes and avoid the kitchen tools for dyeing process. Get proper tools and spray bottles, brushes and knives to dye the bamboo baskets and to draw dyeing designs on them.
Prepare The Bamboo Strips
Bamboo strips have natural wax on them that automatically repels off any dyeing substance to stay and show color. This wax makes a shiny finish on the bamboo and a natural color that does not fade. To get rid of this, cut the bamboo strips in basket weaving shape and boil them for at least 1 hour to make room for new dye. Dry these strips in a shaded place, this will soften the bamboo and will make it easy to weave and dye afterwards.
Soak The Strips In Dye
Strain your boiled dye material into an open pot, make sure its not an aluminium pot, and soak the bamboo strips in the dye. If you have weaved basket that you want to dye, get a pot that fits with the size of basket so the dye stain can be even. Pre soak your bamboo strip in the alum water to treat the bamboo. Make sure your strained dye is on the boiling point with the fire on when you dip the basket in it.
The Most Needed Second Bath
Most of the natural dyes have very fade stain like onion and butternut husk. To get the required color re soak the basket after first bath in the dye. Take out the basket from boiling pot and dry it. After it is dried, make sure to re soak it in the dye for a dark and steady color. Boil the strips for an extended time. Minimum time to simmer it in the dye is 60 minutes. Let the bamboo strips cool down completely in the dye bath.
Rinsing And Drying Process For Bamboo Basket
After the bamboo strips are completely cooled down in the dye bath you can take them out for a good cold bath. DO not dip the in cold water for too long. Just a good rinse in cold water will do the work. This will wash away the excess dye from the bamboo basket or strip and will leave an even and deep dye back. Now you can dry these strips to enjoy the final result.
Stain A Wicker Basket
Wicker is easy to stain than bamboo, and the reason is easy, it is already pre treated and softened. No need to get rid of the wax, just get a spray paint, you can use chemical one, brush and a dyeing sketch of the required design. No need to sandpaper the wicker before paint. Wait for the wicker to dry completely after first coat of paint. You can re apply easily again and again till you get the required stain. Allow the stain to dry in a shaded place.
You can use a spray paint too, but do not forget to finish it off with an oil based coat to make it shine. To avoid the spray stains on all over the place, keep the spray bottle at least 10 inches away from the target and then spray. A clear topcoat will enhance the finish and durability of the stain on the wicker.
Conclusion
It is easy to dye the bamboo basket naturally, than to use chemical dyes and face reactions, specially when you use these baskets in the kitchen. Plant based dyes are best to use like turmeric, coffee, tea, onion and walnut husk. You can easily prepare these dyes at home to get the required color.
You can also stain the wicker basket, it is easier to brush paint or spray paint it because unlike bamboo, you do not need a pre treatment of wicker. But for bamboo, you need to boil the bamboo to get rid of the waxed layer for the color grip and shine. Make sure to check for the lightfastness of the sye you prepared and apply as many coats as you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mix the dye with hot water, if you got it from the store, and soak the pre treated bamboo basket in it fro 7 to 10 minutes. Allow it to dry and check for the stain, if it looks lighter after drying you can re soak it for a darker stain. Remember to let it dry completely before you check for the exact color.
Water based paints, plant based dyes are the best for bamboo as they are likely more easy to work with bamboo.They tend to dry fast and do not harm the fiber of bamboo.
You can not easily paint a bamboo product, because it will eventually chip off in a short period of time. It is better to stain bamboo or even better to dye it for best results. Dye will give it a natural finish.
water based finish is best for bamboo, as it will provide a natural and deep color with shiny finish for a longer period of time. They retain the wood’s original color and resist the yellowing and chipping over the time.
As you know, bleach is a chemical formula, and it can not prolong the result for wood. It will eventually tear off the wood from inside, ruin the fiber of bamboo strips and will damage the bamboo basket.
