How to Dye Easter Eggs

Dying Easter Eggs hardly takes any materials at all.  You will need:

• A stove
• A pot
• Water
• Vinegar
• Eggs
• Cups
• Food Coloring or Egg Dying Kit
• Spoon
• Tablespoon
• Measuring Cup

See!  That was easy, now wasn't it?  You probably had most of this stuff just sitting around your kitchen anyway.

The most important part of the Easter Egg dying process is to first boil the eggs.  Obviously, you are going to need something to dye.  I usually put a dozen eggs in a pot to boil.  I like to add a few drops of vinegar to the water before I put the eggs in the pot to boil.  The drops of vinegar prevent the eggs from leaking in case they crack a little.  Some people will say not to use the vinegar if you intend to dye the eggs, but I've never had any issues.  It is way better than having one egg crack and egg white spill into the water. 

Once the water starts boiling, I usually let my eggs boil about 15 or 20 minutes.  Once again, there are people that will disagree with me on that.  Some say that is too much time to boil, but I would rather be safe than sorry.  Yes, in case you are curious, I do eat my eggs even after I've dyed them.  I never let boiled eggs go to waste.

After the eggs are through boiling, you can take them off the stove.  I usually dump out the water, pour cold water in with the eggs, and then add ice.  This speeds down the cooling process so you can get to the fun part.

You can either go two routes with egg dying: you can buy a kit at the store for just a few dollars or you can use some food coloring.  I highly recommend going to the store and buying the kit.  It is fairly inexpensive, it will usually includes fun items other than dye, and it will make the process easier.  If you do choose to use food coloring, you will need to use vinegar and boiling water.  You will not need boiling water for an egg dying kit, so let's go with that method.

I am using PAAS this year, which is a pretty standard brand sold at all stores.  It is also usually one of the least expensive kits, so that is really why I like it so much.  There are three different suggestions on how to handle this process: you can either use vinegar, you can use lemon juice, or you can use water.  I don't have lemon juice just laying around in my apartment and I am not that fond of the smell of vinegar, so the water method is the best option in my opinion.

Set out a number of cups to use for the water and dye tablets.  A normal, civilized person will tell you to line your table with newspapers before putting out the cups.  This is an especially good idea if you are doing this with children.  Also, you might want to have the kids put on some clothes that no one really likes that much in case the dye splashes.  Since I am a rebel and decided against using newspapers, I will move forward with this process.  I personally like to use disposable cups for dying eggs, too.  It can be difficult to clean cups after you've put dye in them.  Also, since I was too lazy to line the table with newspapers, obviously I am too lazy to worry about doing dishes once the egg dying experience is over.

The instructions state to add a tablet per cup and then put in 3 tablespoons of water per cup.  Once the tablet dissolves, add 1/2 cup of water to each cup.  Now, I found this process did not work out so well.  I don't know if I did something wrong or if I am just too impatient, but at some point, you should probably just smash the tablet with a spoon in each cup.  This really speeds the process along.  After doing that, then you can add the 1/2 cup of water.

Now is the time to add the eggs that have been cooling.  Just start plopping one egg in each cup.  Next, you need to wait.  If you have one of those nifty egg holders available that came with the kit, take that out and periodically check on your eggs.  Once the eggs reach the desired color, take them out.  It is just as simple as that!

After the eggs come out of the colored water, you can put them back in the egg carton.  Usually the PAAS box also has a way to punch holes in the box and you can use that for the drying eggs, too.  Either way, try to touch the eggs as little as possible during the drying process.

Please keep in mind, there is always at least one egg that is horrifically ugly.  Don't blame yourself.  It happens to all of us.  I am convinced this is why PAAS includes those cute stickers and holders in the box.  This is so you can cover up the really ugly egg with other stuff and distract everyone from the fact that it has spots and it is discolored.

Another thing you might enjoy doing during the Easter Egg dying process is adding food coloring to what you are already doing.  While the egg is already sitting in the colored water, you can add a drop or two of food coloring to the water.  If you remove the egg immediately, you will usually find a tye-dye look to it because of the drops that were added.  If not, hey, at least you tried.  It probably only made the color more vibrant.

Last but not least, I like to add all the colors to one cup when I am almost finished.  Then I take the last egg and put it in to see what I get.  Usually I get an ugly brown color, but I managed to get a lovely purple splattered pink egg this time.  What a delightful surprise!  If you try it, but you end up with an ugly egg, that is OK.  Remember, that is why the stickers exist.

I hope you've had lots of fun dying your Easter Eggs.  Make sure to refrigerate them as soon as possible after dying the eggs just in case you are going to eat them.  I never let good food go to waste.  I've been eating dyed Easter Eggs my whole life.  Just remember, refrigerate them right after dying them!  Most of all, have fun and happy Easter!