Commercial dye packets make dying hard boiled eggs convenient, but it is hard to get vibrant colors this way. However, there are different tricks or ways to achieve darker shades or more vibrant hues when dying hard boiled eggs for craft projects.
Deepening the Color
Deepening the color of a hard boiled egg’s shell make take just a little extra time. If you simply allow the eggs to sit in dye for several minutes, it may not be enough time to create a vibrant color and you may only get a pastel hue. Allow the eggs to soak in either homemade or commercial dye in the refrigerator for over night. Cold dye can grab the dye much better than room temperature. Another tip is to use a higher concentration of dye and do not add as much water.
Use Natural Ingredients
Using natural ingredients to create dyes can make a deeper shade. Different types of household products can be used to create a vibrant hue depending on which color you wish to make. To achieve a yellow color, you could use turmeric, white vinegar and water. Water, white vinegar and red cabbage can make a blue egg. Purple eggs can be achieved with cranberry juice, cranberries and white vinegar. Use chopped spinach, water vinegar, and water for a vibrant lime green egg. Beets and vinegar can create a bright pink or red egg.
Heat
Sprinkling crayon shavings onto hard boiled egg shells can create vibrant colors. Ask your kids make shavings from a crayon sharpener. Once the eggs are already boiled, place the crayon pieces onto the egg shells. Set the eggs onto a pan and put in the oven for a few minutes so the shavings melt into bright colors.
Safety Tips
Avoid getting the dye on skin and clothes because it can stain. Wipe off any dye from your clothes or skin with a damp cloth and vinegar. If the dye will not come out of clothes, soak them in a strong detergent that is combined with equal components of bleach and detergent. Do not eat any eggs that contain food dyes that you are allergic to. Always wash your hands frequently while working with eggs. Keep the eggs in the refrigerator after cooking to prevent them from spoiling.