Brown Catechu Natural Dye Extract is an extract of acacia trees used as a tannin, and as a dye. The catechu extract is high in red natural vegetable tannins (around 40%).
Cutch is an important historical brown dye that comes from the heartwood of the cutch tree (Acacia catechu). It is a very easy dye to use and it is both light-fast and wash-fast. Cutch is an excellent dye for cottons as it is high in tannins, and it is also suitable for dyeing wool, silk, and cotton a reddish-brown.
As a mordant, 10% is enough
Use 20-30% WOF to dye a medium depth of shade brown on cotton.
Cutch gives grey-browns with a ferrous sulfate post mordant and olive-browns with a copper mordant. Alum will give brighter tones.
To release the catechu-tannic acid, use cold water and leave overnight.
To yield the browns from the dye component catechin; dissolve Cutch powder in a little hot water to make a paste and then top up with water until a material-to-liquor ratio 1:20. Heat for 90 min at 80° to 90°C. Continued stirring is required for even dyeing.
Dye baths can be re-used for lighter shades.
Other uses;
Cutch has been known to be used as an astringent to help in the treatment of eczema. (Please note we have no personal experience with this).
Can be used in soap making.
Reviews
Terrific to have real Cutch to use and the varied instructions were very helpful.
It is worth noting that Australian Security opened the parcel and especially looked at the Cutch in a separate packet. They only put a small piece of sticky tape to re-secure it and so there was Cutch spread all over any part of the fabric not in tissue paper and all over the interior of the box. Fortunately, I moved it all outside limiting the possible damage and the cloth is going to be dyed anyway.
Worth noting