How To Dye With Black Walnuts

You can dye with black walnuts by using the hulls to create a rich, natural brown dye that works beautifully on fabric, yarn, and even wood.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to dye with black walnuts, the good news is that it’s one of the easiest and most rewarding natural dyes you can make at home.
 
Black walnuts are packed with tannins, which act as a natural dye and mordant combined, meaning you don’t need to pre-treat your fibers with harsh chemicals.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to dye with black walnuts step by step, from gathering the hulls to setting the color so it lasts.
 
Let’s get started.
 

Why Dye With Black Walnuts

Dyeing with black walnuts is a time-honored craft, and here’s why so many people love it:
 

1. Black Walnuts Are Rich in Tannins

The hulls of black walnuts contain high levels of tannins, which are natural compounds that bond with fibers and create deep, lasting color.
 
This is why you can dye with black walnuts and get a beautiful brown without adding any metal salts or mordants.
 
The tannins do double duty, acting as both the dye and the fixative.
 

2. You Can Forage Them for Free

If you have black walnut trees nearby, you can gather the hulls for free in the fall.
 
When you dye with black walnuts, you’re using a resource that would otherwise go to waste.
 
Just be sure to wear gloves, because the hulls will stain your hands for days.
 

3. Black Walnuts Produce a Range of Browns

Depending on how long you soak your fibers, you can dye with black walnuts and get anything from a light tan to a deep, dark brown.
 
The color deepens the longer the fiber stays in the dye bath.
 
This makes black walnuts incredibly versatile for anyone who wants to dye with natural materials.
 

How to Dye With Black Walnuts Step by Step

Here’s how to dye with black walnuts from start to finish:
 

1. Gather and Prepare the Hulls

Collect black walnuts in the fall when the hulls are green and soft, or use dried hulls if you’re working later in the season.
 
If you want to dye with black walnuts, you’ll need about one part hulls to two parts water.
 
Chop or crush the hulls to expose more surface area, which helps release the tannins.
 

2. Simmer the Hulls to Make a Dye Bath

Place the hulls in a large pot, cover them with water, and bring to a simmer.
 
Let them simmer for about an hour, then strain out the hulls.
 
Now you have a concentrated dye bath ready for you to dye with black walnuts.
 

3. Wet Your Fiber and Add It to the Bath

Pre-wet your fabric, yarn, or fiber so the dye absorbs evenly.
 
Add it to the dye bath and simmer gently for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
 
The longer you let it sit, the darker the result when you dye with black walnuts.
 

4. Rinse and Set the Color

Once you’re happy with the shade, remove the fiber and rinse it in cool water until the water runs clear.
 
Then wash it with a mild soap and let it dry away from direct sunlight.
 
The tannins in black walnuts help the color stay put, so you don’t need a separate mordant.
 

Tips for Dyeing With Black Walnuts

A few pointers will make your experience smoother when you dye with black walnuts:
 

1. Use a Dedicated Pot

Never use your good cooking pots when you dye with black walnuts.
 
The tannins can linger and contaminate food later.
 
Pick up a cheap pot at a thrift store just for dyeing.
 

2. Wear Old Clothes and Gloves

Black walnut dye stains everything it touches, including skin and countertops.
 
When you dye with black walnuts, cover your work surface and wear gloves.
 

3. Experiment With Modifiers

If you want to shift the color, you can dye with black walnuts and then dip the fiber in a vinegar or iron bath.
 
Vinegar can brighten the brown, while iron can darken it.
 

4. Try Different Fibers

You can dye with black walnuts on wool, silk, cotton, and linen, though protein fibers like wool and silk take the dye more readily.
 
Plant fibers may need a longer soak to absorb the color.
 

5. Store Your Dye Bath

If you can’t use it all at once, you can store the dye bath in the fridge for a few days.
 
Just reheat it when you’re ready to dye with black walnuts again.
 

So, How Do You Dye With Black Walnuts?

You can dye with black walnuts by simmering the hulls to make a tannin-rich dye bath, then soaking your fiber until you reach the shade you want.
 
Black walnuts are one of the easiest natural dyes because the tannins act as both dye and mordant.
 
So gather some hulls, grab an old pot, and give it a try.
 
Once you dye with black walnuts, you’ll have a beautiful, earthy brown that’s completely natural.