White Oak Galls (Whole)

White oak galls (whole) are a tannin-rich natural material widely used in natural dyeing, especially to pre-treat cotton and linen before mordanting and dyeing. A tannin bath helps mordants bond more effectively to cellulose fibers, producing cleaner, deeper and more consistent shades.

• Botanical name: Quercus infectoria (Aleppo oak)
• Form: whole galls (crush before use)
• Sizes: 100 g (3.5 oz), 400 g (14.1 oz), 1 kg (2.2 lb)

Best for

• Cotton and linen pre-treatment (cellulose fibers) for richer, more even results
• Eco printing and botanical dyeing, for improved clarity and contrast
• Iron-tannin darks (grey to near-black tones)
• Also usable on wool and silk, especially for iron-tannin and botanical dye workflows

How to use white oak galls

1. Crush the galls (the whole form extracts more slowly than powder).
2. Scour your fabric thoroughly.
3. Prepare a tannin bath using 10% WOF (10 g galls per 100 g of fiber).
4. Soak until evenly saturated, then continue with mordanting and dyeing as needed.

Tip: strain the bath if you want a cleaner liquid.

Prefer something ready to use? Try our white oak gall powder.

Additional uses

Traditionally used as a tannin source. It may also be used for experimental vegetable tanning and leather-related tannin processes (testing recommended).

Notes and storage

Natural batches may vary slightly. Store sealed in a cool, dry place. Avoid inhaling dust when crushing.

Full step-by-step guide: Aleppo oak galls tannin guide

Work out exact grams for your fabric with our free natural dye calculator and WOF chart.