RED HENNA DYE

Henna Red Natural Dye Powder

Lawsonia inermis · Powdered Leaves · Orange to Reddish Brown

Henna produces warm textile shades ranging from golden orange and copper to terracotta and reddish brown.

The colour comes from lawsone, a naturally occurring red-orange colourant found in the leaves of Lawsonia inermis. Lawsone has particularly good affinity with protein fibres such as wool and silk, although cotton and linen can also be dyed when suitably prepared.

Despite the name “Henna Red,” this botanical material does not generally produce a clear scarlet red on textiles. Its characteristic shades are warmer and earthier.

Henna is also traditionally used to colour hair and create temporary orange-brown skin stains. These are additional uses for this versatile plant material; our description focuses primarily on textile dyeing.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Lawsonia inermis

• Plant part: Dried leaves

• Form: Fine powder

• Material: Raw botanical dye material - not a purified extract

• Textile colours: Golden orange, copper, terracotta and reddish brown

• Fibres: Wool, silk, cotton and linen

• Best affinity: Wool and silk

• Mordant: Recommended; use a fibre-appropriate method

• Suggested quantity: Approximately 50–100% WOF

• Colourfastness: Medium to good when suitably prepared, dyed and finished

• Additional traditional uses: Hair colouring and temporary skin staining

• Suitable for vegans: Yes

How much to use

For a medium to strong textile shade, begin with:

50–100g Henna per 100g dry fibre

Equivalent to 50–100% WOF - weight of dry fibre.

Use approximately 50% WOF for lighter golden-orange and copper shades or up to 100% WOF for deeper orange-brown and reddish-brown tones.

Henna generally develops more strongly on wool and silk than on cotton and linen. The final shade also depends on the fibre, preparation, mordant, water chemistry, extraction pH, temperature and processing time.

Sample first when working towards a particular colour.

Basic textile-dyeing guide

1. Prepare: Scour and mordant the fibre using a suitable method, then wet it thoroughly. For wool or silk, approximately 10–15% alum WOF provides a useful starting point.

2. Make a paste: Mix the Henna powder with a small quantity of cool or warm water to form a smooth paste. Gradually add more water while stirring.

3. Extract: Add the mixture to the dye pot and heat gently for approximately one hour. Stir regularly to prevent settling and scorching.

4. Strain: Strain through a fine cloth or contain the powder inside a securely tied, fine dye bag.

5. Dye: Add the thoroughly wetted, mordanted fibre and heat at approximately 80–85°C for one hour.

6. Deepen: Allow the fibre to cool in the dye bath. Leave it overnight where a deeper shade is wanted.

7. Finish: Rinse thoroughly and wash gently until the water runs clear.

Dyeing cotton, linen or another cellulose fibre? Find suitable preparation and mordanting methods here.

Colour possibilities

If using iron, approximately 1–3% WOF provides a sensible starting range. Iron acetate is generally gentler on fibres than ferrous sulphate. Excessive iron can dull the colour and weaken textile fibres.

Tips from the dye pot

• Mix the powder into a smooth paste before adding it to the full bath.

• Stir regularly during extraction to prevent settling and scorching.

• Use a tightly woven dye bag or strain through several layers of fine cloth.

• Wool and silk generally produce stronger colours than cellulose fibres.

• Avoid excessive alkalinity, particularly with protein fibres.

• Allowing the fibre to cool in the bath can deepen the shade.

• A second dye bath may produce useful pale gold, peach and tan shades.

• Natural variation in the leaves can cause differences between batches.

• Record the WOF, fibre, mordant, pH, temperature and processing time.

Other traditional uses

Henna has also been used for centuries as a natural hair colour and temporary skin stain.

On hair, pure Henna generally produces copper, auburn and warm reddish-brown tones. It does not lighten hair, and the final shade depends strongly on the original hair colour.

On skin, Henna produces a temporary stain that usually develops from orange to reddish brown before gradually fading.

Pure Henna does not produce a black stain. Never combine it with PPD or unidentified products marketed as “black Henna.”

Follow suitable cosmetic instructions and perform a skin sensitivity test before applying Henna to the hair or skin.

Colourfastness on textiles

Henna has medium-to-good overall colourfastness when the fibre is properly prepared, mordanted, dyed and finished.

Wash and rubbing performance can be good. Lightfastness varies according to the fibre, mordant, processing method and depth of shade.

Deep shades may release some loose surface colour during the first washes. Rinse and wash the fibre thoroughly after dyeing, use a gentle pH-neutral detergent and protect finished work from prolonged strong sunlight.

Storage and safe handling

• Store tightly sealed, cool and dry, away from direct sunlight.

• Do not consume or use in food, drinks or herbal preparations.

• Avoid creating or breathing fine powder.

• Prevent powder from entering the eyes, mouth or open wounds.

• Wear gloves, as Henna stains skin, clothing and surfaces.

• Wear suitable particulate respiratory protection where dust cannot be adequately controlled.

• Follow the safety instructions for every textile mordant, acid, alkali and modifier used.

• Excessive iron can weaken or damage textile fibres.

• Before hair or skin use, conduct a skin sensitivity test.

• Do not apply to irritated, injured or sensitised skin.

• Do not use on eyelashes or eyebrows.

• Avoid contact with the eyes. Rinse immediately with plenty of clean water if contact occurs.

• Never add PPD or unidentified “black Henna” products.

• Stop using the product if irritation or another adverse reaction occurs.

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

When using Henna for textile dyeing, use dedicated equipment that will not later be used for cosmetic or food preparation.

What you receive

Your chosen net weight of powdered Henna leaf, supplied in a pouch.

Mordants, acids, alkalis, iron and other dyeing supplies are sold separately.

Packaging

We pack as sustainably as we can while protecting your dye materials. Pouch types may vary according to pack size and the availability of our preferred lower-impact options.

Display jars and other photographic props are not included.

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