How to Apply Wood Dye

If you enjoy making wood toys for children, using a wood dye will make them more colorful. Unfortunately, some of the commercial wood dye products are not safe for children and pets. Instead use a simple and safe, non-toxic powdered drink mix to color your wood items. Use the following four steps.

Step 1 – Protect your Work Surface

Cover your work surface with paper towels or old newspapers to keep from staining it.

Step 2 – Mix your Colors

Use a glass or stainless steel bowl for each color of unsweetened drink mix. Create a red color with cherry or fruit punch powder, green with lime, and so forth. Mix the drink powder in a bowl with 1 cup of water until it is thoroughly dissolved.

Step 3 – Dye your Toy

Completely immerse your wooden toy in the bowl of the desired color. Allow it to remain in the bowl of wood dye for at least 20 minutes. If the toy is made of a harder wood, allow up to 40 minutes.

Step 4 – Dry your Toy

Remove the toy and allow it to completely dry on a cooling rack.