Why Switch to Eco-Friendly Colors for Holi?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s take a moment to talk about why you should care. Why bother switching to eco-friendly colors when the market is flooded with pre-packaged colors that are ready to go?

First off, artificial colors used during the Holi festival are often packed with chemicals that can cause skin irritation, rashes, and even long-term health problems. What’s worse, these colors are often harmful to the environment, affecting water bodies and wildlife.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. By making your own natural colors, you’re not only protecting your health and the planet, but you’re also embracing the true spirit of the Holi festival—a celebration of nature, joy, and vibrant life. Here’s how you can do just that!

How to Make Eco-Friendly Colors for the Holi Field

Making your own eco-friendly colors isn’t as difficult as it sounds. In fact, you probably already have most of the ingredients you need in your kitchen! Here are some simple recipes to get you started on your festival preparations.

1. Red Color – Beetroot Powder:

Beetroot is one of the easiest and most vibrant ingredients to create a beautiful red color for Holi. Plus, it’s skin-friendly!

How to Make:

• Grate fresh beetroot and extract the juice by squeezing it through a cheesecloth.
• Once you have the juice, leave it to dry in the sun until it becomes a powder.
• For a more intense color, you can mix it with cornstarch to make it more powdery.

Tip: Beetroot’s natural color can stain easily, so remember to apply it carefully.

2. Yellow Color – Turmeric Powder

Turmeric isn’t just a kitchen staple—it’s also a fantastic ingredient for a bright, cheerful yellow color!

How to Make:

• Simply mix turmeric powder with cornstarch or rice flour to make it more powdery.
• If you want a more vibrant color, you can also add a bit of water to the turmeric powder and let it dry.

Tip: Turmeric can sometimes be tough to get out of your skin, so be prepared for a bright yellow glow after the festival!

3. Green Color – Spinach or Moringa Leaves

Green is a signature color for Holi, and using natural ingredients like spinach or moringa leaves gives you a refreshing, earthy tone.

How to Make:

• Boil spinach or moringa leaves until they release their color.
• Blend the boiled leaves into a paste and strain the liquid through a cheesecloth.
• To make a powder, let it dry in the sun or bake it at a low temperature.

Tip: To make the color even brighter, you can mix the spinach liquid with cornstarch.

4. Blue Color – Blueberry or Butterfly Pea Flower

Want a gorgeous blue shade? Butterfly pea flowers or even fresh blueberries can work wonders.

How to Make:

• Boil butterfly pea flowers in water and let the liquid reduce to a thicker consistency.
• Alternatively, blend blueberries and strain the juice for a slightly different blue hue.

Tip: This blue might be a little lighter than synthetic colors, but it will look beautiful under the sunlight.

5. Pink Color – Rose Petals

If you’re looking for a soft and pretty pink for Holi field fun, rose petals are your best bet!

How to Make:

• Collect fresh rose petals, and dry them in the sun.
• Once dried, grind them into a fine powder.

Tip: For a stronger pink, you can mix the rose petal powder with a bit of cornstarch.