Walnut Dye / Walnut Hull Dye

Botanical name: Juglans regia

Colorant: Juglone

Dye type: Direct / Substantive Dye (This dye can be used without mordants, but it gives deeper shades when mordanted with alum).

Shade Range: This dye creates rich brown tones (light coffee to dark chocolate) depending on the concentration and whether a mordant like iron has been added to deepen the color.

Mordant Requirements: Substantive on wool and silk, but using alum or iron deepens the shades and makes for greater lightfastness. Tannin pretreatment is necessary for the plant fibers like cotton and mordanting with alum also suffices.

Fastness: It gives good light and wash fastness, especially on protein fibers, wool and silk. Used on cotton, proper mordanting will improve color retention.

Common Uses: Textiles, wood and in traditional crafts. Walnut dye is popular for being versatile, yet environmentally friendly.

Country of Origin: North America

Vegetarian product: Yes