Mimosa Root Bark Dye Quantity Calculator
Enter the dry weight of your fabric or yarn and the depth of colour you want. The calculator tells you how much Mimosa tenuiflora root bark to use, how much water to start with, and which pack size covers the job.
These are starting points used by natural dyers, not guarantees. Always dye a small sample first.
How the calculation works
Natural dyers measure dye as a percentage of the dry weight of the fibre, written WOF (weight of fibre). If you are dyeing 200 g of cotton at 50% WOF, you need 100 g of bark.
| Shade | Bark as % of fibre weight | For 100 g of fibre | For 1 lb of fibre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pale | 25% | 25 g | 4 oz |
| Medium | 50% | 50 g | 8 oz |
| Deep | 100% | 100 g | 16 oz |
Water and iron
Water: use enough for the fibre to move freely. About 30 times the fibre weight, or 3 litres per 100 g, is a common starting point. More water does not weaken the colour; it only spreads the same dye over a larger bath.
Iron (optional): ferrous sulfate at 1 to 2% of the fibre weight darkens the colour toward grey-violet. Use the lower figure on wool and silk, because too much iron makes them brittle.
For the full method, see how to dye fabric with Mimosa tenuiflora root bark. Making soap, leather or wood projects? The project planner covers those with a printable instruction sheet. Not sure which cut to buy? Read whole vs shredded vs powdered root bark.
Frequently asked questions
How much Mimosa root bark do I need to dye a T-shirt?
A cotton T-shirt weighs about 150 g. For a medium shade you need about 75 g of bark, and about 150 g for a deep shade.
Do I weigh the fabric wet or dry?
Dry. Weigh the fibre before you scour or soak it.
Does powder need less than shredded bark?
No. Weight for weight they are the same material. Powder only releases its colour faster.
Can I reuse the bark?
Usually yes. A second simmer of the same bark gives a paler bath, which is useful for lighter tones.
Got your number?
Planning soap, leather, wood or cosmetics instead? Use the project planner. Order whole, shredded or powdered root bark in the pack size you need.