Extension Corner: Benefits of using natural dyes, plastic dyeable eggs this Easter

LITTLE ROCK — Dyeing and decorating eggs is a longstanding part of Easter celebrations for many families, but for people concerned about egg prices and food allergies, Cooperative Extension Service experts suggest giving natural dyes and dyeable plastic eggs a try this year.
Angie Freel, Howard County extension family and consumer sciences agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said high egg prices due to highly pathogenic avian influenza may have some families reconsidering using real eggs for Easter decorating.
“Many people may be wondering if it’s worth the current investment to dye ‘real’ eggs for Easter this year, at nearly $6 to $7 per dozen at some stores,” Freel said. “Fortunately, there is an alternative to using real eggs to dye. Dyeable plastic Easter eggs are available online for $1 to $3 per dozen and may even be available at local discount stores.”
Plastic dyeable eggs often come with a dyeing kit and instructions for use. In addition to being cost-effective, using plastic eggs also eliminates the food safety element that comes with using real eggs.
“With a plastic egg, if it’s been hidden outside and you don’t find it for a few weeks, you won’t have a terrible smell,” Freel said. “And if you do choose to use real eggs for dyeing, do not eat them if they have been out of the refrigerator for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90 degrees, leave them out no longer than one hour.
“Realistically, it’s not a very safe option on the chance someone eats an egg that has been out of the refrigerator for more than two hours,” Freel said. “There is also a risk of bacterial contamination while dying the eggs.”
Natural dyes
Freel said families may also want to consider using natural ingredients to create dyes for their eggs.
“If people choose not to use natural dyes, the artificial ingredients used to make some dyes could produce an allergic reaction in some people,” Freel said. “Some food dyes have been banned, but people might use one kit for several years before using it up.”
Natural dyes also allow families to experiment with many different colors, and Freel said the natural dyes produce deeper, richer colors.

“Using natural dyes on your eggs gives them a subtle yet gorgeous color, and the longer you leave them in the dye, the darker they become,” Freel said. “You may want to experiment with color variations by combining one or more of the dyes and leaving them in the refrigerator overnight in the dye bath to darken the color.
“You can add designs to the eggs by wetting and sticking small leaves and flowers to the egg, wrapping them tightly in a strip of pantyhose and securing the top with a string or rubber band before submerging in the dye,” Freel said. “And once the eggs are dyed and dried, I like to rub the eggs with a coat of vegetable oil for a beautiful sheen.”
Freel said families should use the following method to dye real or plastic eggs with natural ingredients:
Combine one quart of water with two teaspoons of vinegar, doubling or tripling this recipe as necessary. Submerge either hard-boiled eggs or your dyeable plastic eggs. You can even hard boil the real eggs in the dye for a brighter outcome. Bring the water to a boil, then add your natural ingredients:
Red onion skins create an orange/red color
Turmeric creates a bright yellow color
Beets create a pink color with white eggs or maroon color with brown eggs
Red cabbage creates a blue color
White onion skins or leftover coffee create a tan color
The heat from boiling helps to release the color from the item into the water, and the vinegar helps the dye adhere to the egg. If using real eggs, boil the eggs as usual, then add the vinegar and dye item after boiling, although doing it all at once speeds up the process.