By Afiur
March 01, 2026
As the festival of Holi approaches, markets are filled with bright gulal and water colours. However, many commercially available colours may contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation, allergies
Making organic Holi colours at home is a safer and eco-friendly option. Here is a simple guide to prepare natural colours using ingredients easily available in your kitchen.
Natural dyes are safe for skin and hair, non-toxic and environmentally friendly, easy to wash, economical and easy to make. They also reduce pollution in water bodies and soils after festivals.
Ingredients: Beetroot, Cornflour or rice flourMethod: Grate beetroot and extract the juice. Mix the juice with cornflour or rice flour to form a paste. Spread it on a plate and let it dry completely.
Ingredients: Turmeric powder, Gram flour (besan) or cornflourMethod: Mix turmeric with gram flour in a 1:2 ratio. This helps reduce the strong stain of turmeric while keeping the colour bright.
Ingredients: Spinach or coriander leavesMethod: Dry the leaves in shade and grind them into a fine powder. You can mix the powder with flour to make it lighter and softer.
Ingredients: Dried marigold petalsMethod: Collect and sun-dry marigold petals. Grind them into a fine powder. You can also mix a small amount of turmeric for a brighter shade.
Store dry colors in an airtight container. Keep them in a cool, dry place. Use within a few days for the best freshness.