I got into one of my weird rebellious moods (rebellious is a relative term for me) and decided to tea stain two pillow covers that we already have (originally from this cute Etsy shop). Oh yeah, I’m wild and ca-razy like that. I just figured it was an 100% free project and it would (fingers crossed) be an easy way to take two extremely stark-white (as opposed to warm white) pillow covers to a slightly creamier and off-white tone that would help them layer in more naturally with a slew of other off-white, cream, and even super light metallic bronze pillows that are currently living it up on Big Karl (our dark slipcovered sectional from Ikea).
I’m pretty keen on switching out pillows at the blink of an eye (so these guys could all end up in another room next month or even next week), but I figured it couldn’t hurt to make them all “compatible” – no matter where they’d end up living someday.
See how they stick out like sore thumbs overly-white squares o’ stuffing? In person they really made the others feel kinda dingy by comparison. Not a good look.
So I dipped them into a nice tea bath that I made thanks to three tea bags that I had on hand (one french vanilla and two regular old black tea bags) and some boiling hot water.
I just soaked the pillow covers with cool water first (a tip to keep the stain from absorbing unevenly) and then stirred them into my boiling hot tea cauldron. Bubble bubble toil & trouble, baby. I didn’t want them to get too yellowed and antique looking, so I just left them in there for about five minutes.
Then I gave them a quick run through the washing machine (with cold water to seal in the color and get rid of any excess tea)…
… and dried ’em (tumble dry low) until they were almost 100% done (leaving them a little damp is a wrinkle relieving trick, since I’ve heard that allowing cushion covers to dry on the pillow instead of sitting in the dryer getting wrinkled can keep them looking better).
They weren’t 100% wrinkle free when they came out, but perfect is so 2010 anyway. Here they are now with their new creamy not-too-white undertones thanks to some free tea. They definitely still read as white, just not as blindingly white (think “normal person tooth colored” instead of “Ryan Seacrest tooth colored”). The whole shebang took me about ten minutes of actively paying attention and an hour or so to wash & dry them.
Now they “tuck” right in with the rest of their little pillow friends (they’re still some of the lightest tones, but they don’t make the other guys look dirty anymore). Hooray for tea.
Oh yeah, and see those two green zebra print pillow covers? The funny thing is that I’ve been sweating them (mom, that means crushing on them, which is the same thing as saying I really like them) since before we moved. I even stuck them into this just-dreaming mood board about our future living room last fall. So when they went on clearance for $19 (down from $34) with free shipping and an additional 15% off thanks to a coupon code (Take15) I couldn’t resist. Got ’em both for half price ($17 a pop with tax). Not that I needed more pillow covers. Oops. Told you I have a pillow problem.
The irony of all of this pillow talk is that we spend 85% of our time on our cushy rug with the bean. Three cheers for something cozy underfoot. Or underbutt, as it were. But at night once Clara is asleep, we do sink into Karl, where we usually watch something weirdly morbid that we love (like Dexter, True Blood, or The Walking Dead – what’s wrong with us?) and all those pillows actually come in handy for things like: back support, reclining, keeping our laptops from burning our legs, tossing at each other when someone falls asleep, and squeezing during suspenseful/scary parts. Ah pillows, such useful items. Maybe I need more. Just kidding.
What have you guys dyed with tea? Any other West Elm shopping going on (pillow covers or otherwise)? Do you remember making fake tea-stained pirate maps with burned edges as a kid? Just me? Oh man, those were the days.
Psst- I’m a dork for dye. Check out how I dyed my wedding dress here and how I dyed some cheap-o slipcovers for our $25 craigslist chairs here.
Pssst- We announced this week’s random giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.
my honest answer says
So at first I thought you were nuts, but that really did work wonders. Can’t believe what a difference such a small change in colour can make.
Emily says
So Sherry, was this another “do it while John’s jogging” project? :-p
I guess it doesn’t matter, it turned out really well!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- nope he watched me like I was crazy the whole time but was cool with it since I was using things we already have and not spending more money on other pillows. Haha.
xo,
s
Valerie says
I like how this pillow combo softens up the room!
thecounselormom says
What a great idea! I love the Paris pillow and will have to keep it in mind for my baby’s nursery since it’s Paris themed. One day when she is older I can do this tea dying thing for her pillows to give it a rustic look :)
Barbie says
I sympathize with your constantly having to switch around your pillows! Lately I’ve redecorated to a more “seasonless” look so I don’t keep getting sick of the pillows and removing them. I love West Elm’s pillow collections. Luckily for my husband, we don’t live near a store, so I restrain myself and only purchase my must-have items online. Recently I bought their Safari rug, Dandelion pillow cover, and a couple textured pillows- one in chartreuse, one in cobalt blue. I’m loving how those colors go together.
Michele says
Great idea! Sherry, do you think this would work on a Karl cover? I’m eyeing the white loveseat but it’s just so…white. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I’m not sure but hopefully! You really want it to get a nice even stain so definitely pre-soak it in water so it hopefully soaks up the tea stain evenly. Good luck!
xo,
s
Chanelle says
I made some typographical art for our living room wall and printed them on white paper. When I hung them up they looked SUPER stark and out of place, so I brewed some tea and gently rubbed the teabag over the paper. Much better!
Shannon says
Dexter, True Blood and Walking Dead are three of our must watch shows.
I’m on team vampire. Husband is on team zombie.
We both like murderers with a conscience. ;)
Amanda says
I never knew you could dye with tea! I am actually about to make my first West Elm purchase (thanks to you guys for telling me about it) Im going to order the Organic Carved Circles duvet! Painting my master a soft blue but im not sure what pillows and accessories to pair with it. I guess we will see… :)
Shawna says
Dexter is the best show ever!!
Rachel May Bunke says
I’ve always wanted to know…how are those rugs cleaning-wise? Are they easy to vaccumm?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, I just vacuum it once a week. It sheds less than my other non-shag wool rugs. Haha.
xo,
s
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
I haven’t dyed anything, but I have a project on my list. Hopefully it works like I imagine. The pillows look much better. Happy Friday!
shannon says
Curious how you’re liking Karl now that you’ve had him for a while. We bought a Karl armchair (with the same slipcover) about 2 months ago, and I’ve been surprised that the back cushion gets a little “slouchy” looking, and the slipcover doesn’t remain smooth on the seat surface. This chair doesn’t get as much wear as a full-time couch would, so I just wondered your opinion so far.
I’d consider getting this sectional when we have a bigger living room…although I am a little concerned that the slipcover wasn’t particularly easy to put on the chair (and hence won’t be so convenient to wash as I might have hoped).
YoungHouseLove says
So far we couldn’t be happier with Karl. His back cushions do get a little flat but I just punch them back into shape. Haha. And we’re so glad for the washable slipcovers (ours stay tight and smooth – but maybe if yours is loose you could wash it to shrink it back up?).
xo,
s
Liz says
The difference is subtle, but I really like it!
rachael says
When I was in highschool(I think?) we read the book The Hobbit, and after each chapter we had to write a diary entry from the Hobbits perspective about what had happened. So I burned all the edges of my paper, dyed it in tea, bound it together with twine and got an A+.
Love the pillows, ps.
Debbie says
I tea-dyed a second-hand nurse scrub for a halloween costume one year (went as a freaky Slient Hill nurse…) I didn’t think of soaking in cold water prior to dying, but I will remember that for any future tea dying projects.
Also, if you want a more grungy, uneven color, pull the item out and hang it in the shower to alternate spritzing it with hot water and bleach in different spots until you get the look you’re going for.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, an advanced tea dying tip. I like it.
xo,
s
Jill says
Love the pillows. Where did you buy your round ottoman? Does it have storage? Thanks, Jill
YoungHouseLove says
That was from Marshall’s a long time ago. It’s our only non-storage ottoman (no opening- bummer) but the nailheads had me at hello.
xo,
s
Marie says
Just bought the Ikat Ogee Linen Window Panel from West Elm – the 96 inchers were down in price by $30… plus the promo code that you talked… plus free shipping… it’s a deal.
Cindy says
You’re a genius to notice this detail and quickly and inexpensively resolve it. The tooth comparison cracked me up! Ha! xo
Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
So cute! What a great project!
Christine says
I had some notecards that were on white cardstock and I wanted to frame them and hang them with other things that were decidedly off-white. I didn’t have any tea in the house so I tried coffee. Worked like a charm. Not sure if coffee would have the same staying power as tea for fabric staining but worth a try! LOVE the West Elm pillows.
YoungHouseLove says
So smart! I’ve heard of using coffee to stain wood, so I bet it could work with fabric. Fun!
xo,
s
Barbara says
Seriously Sherry, I think you’re the only one who thought they “stuck out like sore thumbs”!! :) The last thing I would have thought looking at your living room was “wow, those pillows stand out!”
I’ve stained many things with tea. If you want a bolder color, use coffee…it works great too.
mimi says
Where did you get your rug? I’m shopping for one currently and I love it!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s from overstock.com. I think there’s a link over to that post in this one when we mention it. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Rebecca says
Pirate maps? Oh yeaaaaah. Or else ‘old’ documents/letters, with red ‘wax’ seals on the end and strips of ribbon. So much fun.
Your pillow idea is cool. And I am jealous of your teabags.
And your (now) off-white pillows are lovely and your room looks stunning.
Amanda T says
I just told my husband the other day that maybe we should start DVR-ing some more upbeat shows since it’s now filled with Dexter, True Blood, Criminal Minds and Law and Order:SVU. We need something with a little less blood in it maybe :) Glad we’re not the only ones though!
Amanda J. says
I tea-dyed my wedding veil (http://photographybydelisa.com/rome/index.html) to match my definitely-not-white-but-also-not-ivory dress.
I will say (for anyone who attempts it) that synthetic fabrics take a much longer time than natural fabrics. I think I let my veil soak for nearly half an hour in some SERIOUSLY black tea for it to go just a few shades darker. Bear that in mind.
Sarah says
Like that bee pillow. You’re right that the tea dye makes it blend nicely.
RC says
Just FYI, pillows under laptops = not great for the computer. They can cause your laptop to overheat (depending on where your battery is and where the fans are). Much better to use a TV tray or large book or something hard and flat.
YoungHouseLove says
Amen to that- they’re just a checking-comments-for-five-minutes-and-I’m-too-lazy-to-get-a-hardcover-book solution!
xo,
s
Julie says
I am loving the West Elm sale section lately! They’re had some fab deals. At the moment they have some super cheapo printed duvet covers that I’m trying to resist, because I kind of have a duvet cover problem.
I’ve also learned to call the number on their website if you want to order something online, sometimes they run special promotions over the phone that make things cheaper than the online price.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh – awesome tip!
xo,
s
georgia says
Laptop burnt legs are the worst. I blew my laptop up becuase I blocked the fan vents on the bottom of it. I have to buy a new one now :( sucks!!
So be careful urs doesn’t goto laptop heaven with mine sniff..
Heather W says
Love the tea stained pillows! Thanks a lot for showing the green bengal pillows! I too have been eyeing those and now purchased since on sale etc. Great minds think alike!
Megan says
As someone who does NOT have many pillows but wanting some, I have a question for you. And it may be one of those really stupid questions, but I’m not in the know and you, Sherry, definitely are when it comes to pillows. When you say you have a lot of pillows, does that mean the pillow and the cover or just the cover (as you mentioned when talking about the zebra stripe, which is totally awesome!). I’m imagining a giant room full of pillows but pillow cases would be a completely different thing. Help?!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s mostly extra covers but I do have a few extra full-on pillows laying around too. Haha. It’s a sickness.
xo,
s
Ashley @ DesignBuildLove.co says
they totally look fantastic! I liked they white before, but they flow oh-so-much better now that their “stained!” :) NICELY DONE!
JennyB says
Okay–so now I need to go back and find The Walking Dead and watch it. It looks so good! How have I missed it?
Made me snort–“normal person tooth colored” instead of “Ryan Seacrest tooth colored” hehehe
Must find something white to dye with tea this weekend..hmm.
ECW says
I played an orphan in a local production of “Annie” when I was younger. The director wanted our clothes to look old and sort of stained, so she told our moms to dye our costumes with tea at home. Apparently another mom didn’t hear correctly and called my mom later asking, “So, are you just going to have everyone pee into a cup?”
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my goodness. Talk about mishearing something. Potential disaster!
xo,
s
Marla says
I tea stained 5 little boy “wife beaters” (that sounded weird) to make them skin toned and then painted sea shells on the front as part of the Little Mermaid outfits I made for my daughter and her girlfriends for her mermaid themed 5th bday party. Took a few takes, but the color was perfect.
Melo says
I dyed my wedding shoes with tea. They were white satin and they are now beautifully beige/nude. The process was a little different since you shouldn’t dip shoes in water. Just prepare the tea and use the teabags as a brush to “paint” the shoes. Then just blow-dry the shoes and TA-DA!
Jennifer G. says
My sister in-law tea died her wedding dress. She had her dress custom made and the lace she chose was stark white. She wanted a more ivory tone so she tea died it in the bath tub and it was perfect!
Love the pillows and i heart WE!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that’s guts!
xo,
s
renee says
Yeah, I read that wrong at first.
Though Jennifer wrote
“My sister-in-law DIED IN her wedding dress”
And I gasped, because I had seen Sherry’s comment “Wow-that’s guts!” first and thought WHAT THE HECK??
Feel better knowing the SIL only changed the color of the dress. WHEW!
Rachel Austin says
I heart Eric too! Sookie just needs to give in already! BTW- I tried to convince my husband to put on Zombie makeup and just try to blend in in Atlanta while they were filming recently- sadly he didn’t go for it. boo. Love the pillows!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I would have done it with you!
xo,
s
Krystal says
Do you remember that episode of Modern Family when Jay complains about Gloria’s pillow obsession, and then it flashes to their bed and Gloria removing the 50 some decorative pillows? This post made me think of that.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- yes. Hilarious. I’m Gloria.
xo,
s
Wendy says
On the unfortunate occasion that we have a pet “accident” on the rug (read: cat hair ball), I go to town scrubbing our oriental rugs like a crazy woman. The only problem? This often times takes the color out of the rug. I’ve had a lot of luck using tea bags to dye the rugs back to a more blendable color, so the scrubbed spot doesn’t stand out. Works like a charm!
The location of the former spot is seen in these pictures: http://www.oldtownhome.com/2011/5/26/Its-Not-Easy-Being-Green/index.aspx
I’ll let you be the judge. Did tea dyeing work?
YoungHouseLove says
Woah. You’re a tea genius!
xo,
s
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
What an awesome idea. I have heard of this before, but I haven’t had anything to try it on. The pillows look like they fit with the rest of their friend pillows on Karl. Nice!!! ;)
ashley jensen says
I still haven’t tried staining/dyeing anything but I am sure once I do I will be hooked. The hubs and I are big True Blood fans!
Lindsey @ A Pear to Remember says
Hmm, what can i tea stain around the house. Could i do this with clothes?? I’ve got a LOT of tea…
Love that you love True Blood, too.
Is that a new light on the ceiling in one of your photos??
YoungHouseLove says
Oh that’s the hallway light that came with the house! Love it so much. You can see it in our House Tour (see the tab under the header?). As for tea dying clothes, I think it should work! Good luck!
xo,
s
Emma says
I love a good pillow. Very nice pillow upgrade there Sheery. The pillow spread on your couch looks great :)
jodie okun says
too funny! i loooove your blog and read it all the time (i am a total lurker:) i just started blogging and recently did a post with the same title! only i was tea-staining lampshades. here is the link if you are interested http://www.jodieokuninteriors.com/2011/06/tea-time.html thanks so much for always sharing your ideas! the pillows turned out great and your house looks amazing! jodie
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Great minds think alike!
xo,
s
Sara says
Outstanding, as usual!
carolinaheartstrings says
I love tea staining. It is so cheap and works so well. Great job!
Erin @ One Project at a Time says
I’ve never considered tea dying before, but it’s a great solution. Where do you guys come up with this stuff? Thank God you do- I’ve learned so much!
YoungHouseLove says
I blame my can’t-sit-still defect. Seriously, when I try to relax on the sofa my brain goes to “I bet I could tea stain those pillows.” Lame!
xo,
s
Liz says
Love the pillows, and the room. And I had to laugh because I was actually thinking earlier that in your new family-of-four picture that you guys both have Seacrest-white teeth! Maybe it’s just the photo, though!
YoungHouseLove says
Totally just the pic. Haha.
xo,
s