The typical amount of vinegar used in egg dye is about 1 teaspoon of white vinegar per 1/2 cup of boiling or hot water. This ratio is commonly recommended for mixing with food coloring to create the dye bath for coloring Easter eggs. For example, McCormick's Easter egg dye recipe calls for 1/2 cup boiling water, 1 teaspoon vinegar, and 10 to 20 drops of food color per dye cup
. Similarly, other sources suggest 1 teaspoon vinegar per 1/2 cup water for each color
. Some recipes use slightly different proportions, such as 2 teaspoons vinegar per 1 cup of hot water, which is essentially the same ratio scaled up
. The vinegar is important because it helps the dye bond to the eggshell by reacting with the calcium carbonate in the shell, facilitating color absorption
. In summary, the standard and effective amount is:
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar per 1/2 cup hot or boiling water for each dye color.
Adjusting the amount of vinegar significantly beyond this can cause shell damage or fizzing, so it’s best to stick to small amounts like this for vibrant, intact dyed eggs
