Dyeing Tan to Rust with Eucalyptus — The Australian Bark Dye

Use 200% WOF of fresh eucalyptus leaves, or 100% WOF dried. For 100 g of wool, gather 200 g of fresh leaves or 100 g of dried. Both leaves and bark produce colour — leaves are easier to gather and process. Fallen leaves from the ground work well. Tear larger leaves into pieces to increase surface area. If using bark, collect naturally shed bark strips from the ground beneath the tree — never strip bark from a living tree.

Place the eucalyptus leaves in a dye pot with 4 litres of warm water and soak for 2-3 hours. The water will turn a golden-amber as tannins and flavonoids dissolve. The strong, characteristic eucalyptus aroma will be immediately noticeable — menthol and camphor from the essential oils. An overnight soak produces deeper colour but the strong scent can be overpowering indoors.

Bring the pot to a gentle simmer (80°C) and hold for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally. The liquid will deepen to a warm amber to rust-orange, depending on the species. Work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors — the eucalyptus essential oils vaporise during simmering and the scent is very strong. The leaves will darken and lose their colour as the pigment transfers to the water.

Strain the dye liquor through a fine mesh strainer into a clean pot. Press the leaves to extract all remaining liquid. Eucalyptus leaves are tough and leathery even after simmering — they strain more cleanly than soft leaf dyes. The strained liquor should be a warm, clear amber to rust-orange.

Pre-wet the alum-mordanted wool in lukewarm water for 15 minutes, squeeze gently, and lower it into the eucalyptus dye bath at room temperature. Slowly raise to 80°C over 15 minutes, then hold for 45 minutes. Turn gently every 10 minutes. The wool will develop a warm tan to rust tone — the exact shade depends on the eucalyptus species. Alum mordanting produces warmer, more golden tones. Iron modification shifts the colour dramatically toward deep grey-brown. Eucalyptus tannins also bond directly to wool without mordant, producing cooler brown shades.

Turn off the heat and let the wool cool in the dye bath overnight. Remove, squeeze gently, and rinse in lukewarm water until the runoff is clear. The final colour is a warm tan to soft rust — earthy and natural, with the warm red-brown undertone characteristic of Australian eucalyptus. Lightfastness is good — the tannin-based colour is more permanent than most leaf dyes. Washfastness is excellent. The wool may retain a faint eucalyptus scent that gradually fades. Dry in shade.