Tea staining has been around a long time and ws first used to hide stains on lines. It is one of the most popular ways to stain fabric and give it a warm antique look. Different types of teas such as green tea, black tea, raspberry and herbel teas will give you diferent tints and tones on fabrics so dont be afraid to experiment a bit. Hibiscus tea will give you red tones while black teas give a more soft brown or cream tone to cotton. Tea staining works well with natural fabrics- muslin, cotton, line and wools dye well. It is very easy to do and just takes a few simple steps.

If your fabric is new be sure to wash it first to remove the sizing before dying. I have found that 4 cups of water and 4 single cup tea bags will dye 1 yard of fabric.

Bring the water to a boil and remove from heat, add tea and let set for about 5 minutes until the liquid turns the desired color. Remove the tea bags from the water if you dont the tea bags will leave darker stains where the fabric sets on them.

Wet the fabric in water thoroughly removing excess before placing in the tea mixture, stir gently.

Let soak for approxiamately 10 minutes, checking to see if the the fabric is as dark as you wish. Remember the fabric will dry a shade lighter.

When the fabric has reached the desired color remove from the tea mixture and rinse well with warm water and dish soap-if you dont the fabric may become damaged by the tea- tea contains acids which can destroy the fibers over time.

Line dry or place in the dryer. I like to place the fabric in an old pillowcase to protect my dryer. I also wipe my dryer out with a towel to remove any trace especially if Im going to dry whites next.

When the fabric is dry if you wish it darker you may repeat the process, fabric too dark add 1 tablespoon of bleach to a gallon of water and resoak fabric.

To set the color in fabrics that are going to be continually washed soak it in 1 gallon of water to which has been added 1 tablespoon of vinegar.

Have fun tea staining and remember the possibilities are endless- old linens, clothes, fabric, etc. can all be tea stained !