Natural dyeing of fabrics using Quercus robur L. (fruit cups) dye and Punica granatum L. (peel) mordant

Abstract

Investigation was carried out to study the dyeing quality of Quercus robur L. (fruit cups) and Punica granatum L. (peel) mordant for the dyeing of wool and cotton fabrics. The fabrics were dyed both excluding and including the mordant by adopting different mordanting methods. The efficiency of the dye and mordant combinations was evaluated in terms of percent absorption (%), Colour coordinates (CIELAB), Colour strength/ Relative colour strength (K/S) and fastness properties respectively. Absorption of the dye, colour coordinates, colour strength (K/S) by the wool fabric recorded higher values as compared to cotton fabric. The cotton fabric does not showed much affinity for the dye and mordant combinations and appeared with dull and poor colour shades with lower values of absorption, colour strength and retention grades. However, wool fabric showed beautiful and bright colour shades in different mordanting combinations.