Holidays & Entertaining Holidays How to Dye Easter Eggs In 6 Easy Steps If you're dyeing Easter eggs this year, these simple steps will loads of color to those hard-boiled eggs. By Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 12, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Beautifully dyed Easter eggs are a surprisingly simple DIY project—and one that can really engage your creativity, whether you want to use washi tape or tie-dye your eggs. And you don't have to rely on store-bought kits to get colorful Easter egg perfection. With a few key tips and tricks (i.e., let your hard boiled eggs cool before you dye them), you can ensure an Insta-worthy finish every time. For parents with small kids (or other people who don't have the patience to wait for the dip dye), consider some other creative Easter egg decorating ideas, many of which don't require a drop of dye. Buppha Wuttifery/Getty Images What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Tongs, egg dipper, or slotted spoon Materials Hard boiled eggs (that have been cooled) Paper towel or newspaper Bowl or cup deep enough to completely submerge an egg ½ cup boiling water 1 teaspoon white vinegar Liquid food coloring (about 20 drops per color) Rubber brands, waterproof tape, crayons, or wax (optional) Stickers, washi tape, gold leaf (optional) Instructions How to Dye Eggs Step-by-Step Eri Morita/Getty Images Let the eggs cool. Hard boil your eggs and then let them cool so no one gets burned while handling them. Protect your surface. Cover the table, counter, or other workspace with a sheet of newspaper or paper towel to avoid staining. Add food coloring to a bowl of water. Fill container with enough water to cover the egg, one teaspoon of white vinegar, and about 20 drops of food coloring. The more food coloring you add, the darker the color of the egg will be. Make designs. To create unique patterns on the eggs, use rubber bands, wax, crayons, or waterproof tape to mark off stripes or designs where you don't want the dye to hit. Dye the eggs. Place your egg on a slotted or regular spoon and dunk, turning occasionally so both sides get color. Keep your dyed egg in the liquid for up to 5 minutes. The longer you leave your egg in the dye bath, the more vivid the color will be. You can also dip only part of the egg in one color, then switch to another color to create a multi-colored effect. Remove the eggs and let them dry. Carefully remove the egg and set it aside to dry. Once the eggs are dry, you can apply stickers, washi tape, gold leaf, or other decorative elements to finish off the look. If you'd prefer to use all-natural Easter egg dyes, you probably have everything you already need in your spice rack and refrigerator to make the magic happen. Frequently Asked Questions Is it better to dye eggs hot or cold? Before dunking them in the dye, your eggs should be cold (or at least room temperature). However, you’ll be dipping the cold egg into hot water. This recipe calls for boiling water to make the dye, which will create the best results. What is the best way to dye brown eggs? Make a brown homemade egg dye using coffee, boiling water, and vinegar. First, stir the ¼ cup instant coffee granules with 2 cups boiling water together in a large dish. Next, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar. From there, dye your Easter eggs as you usually would. What can you use to dye eggs besides food coloring? There are several foods and spices you can use to dye Easter eggs. For example, you can use blueberries for blue dye or raspberries for pink dye. You can also use paprika for orange dye or turmeric for yellow dye. How do you make Easter eggs more vibrant? The more food coloring you use in the dye, the more vibrant your Easter eggs will be. In addition, use a bit more vinegar and a little less water to make a richer dye color. Remember to keep the egg in the dye for at least five minutes. For more intense colors, soak the egg for additional time, checking every few minutes for the results.