Also known as onion skin, onion husk.

Onion peel has long been cherished by dyers for its ability to produce warm, golden yellows that are both light- and wash-fast. Unlike many kitchen dyes, onion peel has remarkable durability on textiles. It can be used directly on unmordanted wool or with an alum-based mordant for brighter results on all fibre types.

Our extract offers a concentrated, convenient alternative to collecting large quantities of peels. At only 5% WOF, this extract produces strong, glowing yellows, making it both efficient and practical. Especially great as a golden dye for blankets in eco-print process. 

Historical Note
Onion skins have been a traditional household dye for centuries, particularly in Europe and Asia, where they were used not only for textiles but also for colouring Easter eggs and foods. In natural dyeing, they became beloved for their reliability, availability, and strong fastness compared to many other kitchen scraps.

Active Dye Compounds

• Quercetin
• Isorhamnetin
• Kaempferol

CI Colour Name
Closest family: CI Natural Yellow 10

Shading Tips

• No mordant (on wool): soft warm yellow
• Alum mordant: brighter golden yellows
• Iron post-mordant: mossy greens
• Overdye with indigo: vibrant grass- and forest-greens
• Overdye with madder: rich oranges and russets
• Exhaust baths: lighter, lemony yellows

Light fastness: excellent for yellows (rare among kitchen-derived dyes).

Source
Extracted from onion peels (Allium cepa), sustainably processed for professional natural dyeing.