Utilization of Old Coconut (<i>Cocos nucifera</i>) Husk Waste as Potential Source of Natural Dye and its Dyeing Properties on Cotton Cloth

Abstract

Coconut husk is considered waste and its fibers can be used as a source of natural dyes for textiles. The objective of this research is to obtain natural dyes from old coconut (Cocos nucifera) husk waste fibers through the extraction process. Brown color was produced in the liquid-liquid extraction method. The brown color natural dyes were then used to dye cotton cloth. Three different binding agents were used during the fixation process, i.e. tunjung, naphtol salt, and alum. The coloring results of the natural dye on the cotton cloth were as follow: with alum binding agent the resulting color was light brown (cream), whereas tunjung binding agent produced a greenish brown color, and using napthol salt binding agent produced yellow color. The colored cotton cloths were tested for their color fastness properties against rubbing, soap washing, and sunlight exposure. The measurement scale used was grey scales, which was used to evaluate the color change (color fading) and color staining (color transfer) during color fastness testing. In general, based on the results, the colored cotton cloth using alum as binding agent showed better color fastness properties against rubbing, soap washing, and sunlight exposure compared to the ones using tunjung and naphtol salt binding agents.