Mushroom Dye
Mushroom dyes are natural textile dyes derived from mushrooms.
The dyes are available in a wide variety of colours and can be used on natural fibres like cotton, hemp and flax along with protein-based fibres like silk and wool. The dyes while still very much a craftsman-like process offers a natural alternative to chemical dyes and the environmental contamination that they are associated with.
Mushroom dyes are a fantastic circular material as they provide a natural solution to textile dyeing. The dyes are fully biodegradable, along with also being obtained from natural or renewable sources.
The dyes are capable of creating a wide range of colour variations, depending on the type of mushroom, the recipe and the material. The mushroom dye process is similar to other natural dyes and the formulae is subject to the craft of the dyer.
You can view the wide range of colours available here at the Mushroom Colour Atlas.
Mushroom dyes colours are highly dependent on the type of mordant that is used in the natural dyeing process. Mordants along with influencing the colour, also provide a means for the dye to permanently attach to the fabric through a molecular bond. This bond also results in stronger colour and lightfastness of the dye. Examples of natural mordants are saltwater, vinegar, ammonia, a copper pot, and a rusty iron pot are used
Circular Features
Raw Materials
Mushroom dyes are sourced from natural resources.
Afterlife Plan
Afterlife the natural dyes are fully biodegradable.