The Alchemist's Color Codex

Safety First: Natural Dye, Stain, & Pigments

I cannot stress this enough. Some dyes, stains, and pigments are poisonous, and toxic! Some require dangerous chemicals, like ammonia, to produce color. Some mordants are absolutely unsafe. Just because its natural or organic does not make something safe.

Additionally forethought is required when foraging and purchasing materials, as some sources of color are endangered. Unless you are part of a traditional dyeing practice that is maintaining that tradition in a environmentally balanced way, do not gather or purchase endangered dyes, stains or pigments.

Yes, I sound like I am lecturing but I really don't want to see you learn the hard way! This Alchemist worries for the craft and for you.

Chemicals

Mordants, used in many dye recipes, can be dangerous. Some more than others but none of them are things you want to breathe in. Dye extracts are very fine powers you don't want to breathe in either. Use your ppe.

Chemical like ammonia, alcohol, and mordants must always be stored properly. Use them with care. Know and understand how chemicals react with one another, especially ammonia + anything else. Don't use bleach to clean up after working with a dye that used ammonia. Don't use copper or iron mordants with ammonia. All of these cause caustic fumes that burn skin and lungs.

When in doubt take the time to google it.

Tools & Equipment

Tool and equipment used for natural dyeing should only be used for that purpose and never for food. Keep your equipment separate. Stainless steel tools and equipment are the easiest to clean and maintain.

The only exception is using a color source you KNOW is food safe. (For example red cabbage for dyeing Easter eggs.)

General Safety

Handle hot water, chemicals, and color materials with care. Not simply for your safety but as anyone who has worked with dye extracts can tell you, getting them out of your clothes, dish towels, or off counter-tops is a pain.

Foraging & Purchasing Materials

KNOW what you are working with. Is it toxic? An irritant? Always label these materials as such. Wear your ppe.

In additional take care when foraging. Understanding what you are harvesting and how much you can safely take is vital to protect the resource for the future. Is it invasive where you are? Is it endangered or abundant? Does it grow slowly?

Be aware of your surroundings. Are you allowed to forage here? Is it hunting seasons?

When shopping, work with trusted vendors who are not afraid to talk about where and how they get their materials.

Storage

However you store your materials, label everything for your safety.

Storage for color materials is generally air-tight, and in a cool, dark place. If you are storing materials by freezing or canning then make double sure its labeled properly.

Store everything away from food, kids, & pets.

PPE

Some plants are toxic, and some work places don't like you coming in with blue hands. I highly recommend using gloves. Elbow high, dish washing gloves work great. I also recommend a n95 mask for working with extracts and mordants. Smashing a million pine cones with a hammer? Eye protection is recommended.

Safe Disposable Glove Removal

Remember the difference between witchcraft & alchemy is writing that recipe and procedure down!

Don't Touch This

Chemical Combinations That Are Dangerous:

Ammonia + copper sulfate (fumes, burns, & internal burns, possible death)
Ammonia + ferrous sulfate (fumes, burns, & internal burns, possible death)
Ammonia + bleach (fumes, burns, & internal burns, possible death)

Dye + Mordant Combinations That Don't Seem to Work (Not Dangerous - Just Failure):

Logwood + Aluminum Triformate + Washing Soda (pastel colors at best)