ECO-FRIENDLY NATURAL DYE FOR COTTON AND SILK FABRICS

Abstract

Eco-friendly natural dye extracted from Swietenia mahogany leaves, has been used as eco-friendly dye to cotton and silk fabrics. The dyeing was carried out with and without the use of mordants and the fastness properties of the fabrics were determined. Colour values in terms of K/S and L* a* b* C and h colour coordinates were examined. A wide range of shades were obtained by using various mordants and mordanting techniques. Dye was tested for some eco-parameters using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and GC/MS. The effluent disposed at the end of the processing was also tested in some cases. The test results were compared with set standards to determine the eco-friendliness of natural dye, show that their concentrations are much below the stipulated limits.