What is Red Clothing Dye Made Of?
Red clothing dye's composition varies greatly depending on the source and time period. Historically, and still in some natural dyeing practices, scale insects in the superfamily Coccoidea provided vibrant red dyes, such as kermes, lac, and grana. [^1] Modern synthetic dyes offer a wider range of hues and are more readily available.
- Scale Insects: These insects produce a resinous secretion that yields a rich red color. This method is a long-standing tradition in natural dyeing.
- Plants: Various plants also provide red shades, with the intensity and exact hue varying widely depending on the plant species, growing conditions, and mordanting processes. Examples include red cabbage and red onion skins, offering varying shades of red to brown-red, depending on the preparation and application methods. [^2, ^3, ^4, ^5, ^6]
Synthetic Red Dyes:
- Basic Red 46: This is a dark red powder dye commonly used in various textiles including wool, silk, cotton, linen, polyester and acrylic fabrics. [^7]
- Commercial Dyes: Companies like Rit Dye offer commercially available red dyes, such as their "Cherry Red" dye designed for clothing and home décor. [^8] However, be aware that even commercial browns may contain red components leading to unexpected red results. [^9]
Important Considerations:
- Fabric Type: The type of fabric significantly impacts how a dye takes and the final result. Different dyes are formulated for different materials. [^9]
- Pre-Washing: Pre-washing fabrics, especially vibrant colors like red, is crucial to prevent bleeding or color migration. [^10]
[^1]: Phipps, (Reference not provided directly, but inferred from provided text). Red dyes—called kermes, lac, and grana—have been sourced from scale insects in the superfamily Coccoidea for a long time.
[^2]: Postej & Stews Blog Post (https://postej-stew.dk/2019/05/medieval-fabrics-part-2/) mentions plant-based dyes resulting in brown-red and soft red colors.
[^3]: Zuahaza blog post (https://www.zuahaza.com/journal/natural-dyeing-with-red-cabbage) details dyeing with red cabbage.
[^4]: Zero-Waste Chef blog post (https://zerowastechef.com/2023/06/16/how-to-make-onion-skin-fabric-dye/) explains using onion skins for dyeing.
[^5]: Rebecca Desnos blog post (https://rebeccadesnos.com/blogs/journal/red-onion-skin-magic/) details dyeing using red onion skins.
[^6]: Reddit discussion (https://www.reddit.com/r/dyeing/comments/qc4124/any_way_to_temporarily_dye_a_piece_of_green/) mentions temporary red dyes.
[^7]: Allergic Contact Dermatitis Database (https://www.contactdermatitisinstitute.com/basic-red-46.php) provides information on Basic Red 46.
[^8]: Rit Dye product page (https://www.ritdye.com/products/cherry-red/) details their Cherry Red dye.
[^9]: Reddit discussion (https://www.reddit.com/r/dyeing/comments/r7ybtw/why_do_my_brown_rit_liquid_dyes_turn_out_red_and/) discusses unexpected red results from brown dyes.
[^10]: Suzy Quilts blog post (https://suzyquilts.com/fix-fabric-bleeds/) emphasizes pre-washing vivid colors to prevent bleeds.
