Answers to the questions we get most about natural dyes, mordants, fabrics, shipping and workshops. Can't find yours? Get in touch.
About the store
Who is behind The Natural Dye Store?
The Natural Dye Store was founded by natural-dye expert and textile educator Suzanne Tamar Dekel. It is an Israel-based, woman-owned supplier of natural dyes, mordants and natural fabrics for textile artists, designers, studios, educators and institutions worldwide.
What do you sell?
Over 45 raw botanical dyes, 23 concentrated natural dye extracts, indigo and woad, mordants and assists, dye kits, and natural fabrics, scarves and yarns prepared for dyeing (PFD). Alongside common dye plants we carry rare and historical materials such as kermes, murex and sukumo. Browse Natural Dyes, Mordants & Assists and Fabrics.
Where do your dyes and fabrics come from?
From specialist growers, producers and small-scale weaving communities in several countries, including handwoven textiles from India, Indonesia and Ethiopia. Many dyes are certified organic, and product pages state origin and certification where available.
Ordering and shipping
Is there a minimum order?
For physical products the minimum order is $50, or $75 for orders shipping to the European Union. Digital products (recipes, e-books and digital subscriptions) have no minimum and can be bought on their own.
Where do you ship from, and how long does delivery take?
All orders ship from our studio in Rishon LeZion, Israel, to customers worldwide. Delivery usually takes about 14 business days, depending on the destination and customs. We don't offer an express option, but if something is urgent, contact us and we'll see what we can do.
Will I pay customs or import fees?
European Union: for parcels up to €150 in value, EU VAT is collected at checkout, so there is nothing more to pay on delivery. For parcels above €150, import VAT and any duties are charged by customs on delivery.
United States: all parcels ship DDP (delivered duty paid). All taxes and tariffs are included at checkout, with no surprise fees on delivery.
Other countries: local import taxes or duties may apply on delivery, according to your country's rules.
Do you offer bulk or wholesale quantities?
Yes. Retail, studio and selected bulk quantities are available. For larger quantities or institutional orders, contact us.
What is your return policy?
You can return eligible items within 14 days of delivery, unused and in their original condition. Email info@naturaldyestore.com to start a return. The customer pays return postage, unless the item is defective, damaged or incorrect; in that case contact us first and we'll arrange a remedy and cover the reasonable return cost. Personalised and specially made items can't be returned, except where consumer law says otherwise.
I live in the EU. How do I withdraw from my purchase?
EU consumers have a 14-day right of withdrawal. You can withdraw online with the "Withdraw from Contract" button in our refund policy: sign in with the email address used for your order, choose the order and request a cancellation or return. You can also use the model withdrawal form on that page. For a valid withdrawal we refund the product price plus the cheapest standard delivery cost we offered. Extra costs for express or premium delivery aren't refunded.
Natural dyeing basics
Do I need a mordant?
Most natural dyes need a mordant to bind well to fibre and stay wash- and lightfast. Indigo, woad and some tannin-rich dyes (such as walnut hulls, cutch and many barks) can be used without one. Our simple decision guide walks you through it, and this post covers dyes that work without a mordant.
Which mordant should I start with?
Alum (potassium aluminium sulfate) is the most common all-round mordant, especially for wool and silk. For cotton and linen, aluminium acetate or aluminium triformate give better results. The Mordant Basics Kit contains alum, aluminium triformate, copper and iron to get started.
What is WOF?
WOF means "weight of fibre": the dry weight of what you are dyeing. Mordant and dye amounts are given as a percentage of WOF, for example 15% WOF alum for 100 g of wool is 15 g of alum. More about WOF.
What is the difference between raw dyestuff, dye powder and dye extract?
Raw dyestuff is the dried plant part (roots, bark, flowers); powder is the same material ground; an extract is concentrated, so you need much less, often 1–10% WOF instead of 50–100%. Read the full comparison.
Which fabrics can I dye with natural dyes?
Natural fibres: protein fibres (wool, silk) and cellulose fibres (cotton, linen, hemp). Synthetics like polyester don't take natural dyes. Our fabrics are prepared for dyeing (PFD) and many are handwoven.
How do I start eco printing / botanical printing?
Start with a mordanted natural fabric, leaves that print well (eucalyptus is very reliable), a tight bundle and steam. Our beginner's guide to eco printing explains each step.
How do I set up an indigo vat?
The easiest start is a hydros (sodium hydrosulfite) vat with natural indigo powder and soda ash. Follow the step-by-step recipe, or get everything in one box with the Indigo Vat Starter Kit.
How should I wash naturally dyed fabric?
Wash gently at 30–40°C with a pH-neutral detergent, and dry out of direct sunlight. Full care guide.
Learning and workshops
Do you teach workshops?
Yes. Suzanne teaches natural dyeing and botanical printing workshops and multi-day textile residencies, including in the Netherlands, France and Mexico. See current dates on the Workshops page.
Is there a guide to dye colours and recipes?
Yes. The Color Guide is our digital natural dye recipe guide, and the blog has over 100 free tutorials and experiments.