Color Fastness Properties Research Articles

Investigation of process parameters for eco-friendly indigo dyeing of cotton fabric with reducing sugars

Purpose The application of indigo dyes in the denim industries has been criticised due to the introduction of non-renewable oxidation products into the environment. Previous studies have investigated that reducing sugars can be used as green alternatives to sodium dithionite in the indigo dyeing of cotton fabric owing to their reduced and stable redox potential in the dye bath. The purpose of this study was to dye denim cotton fabric with indigo dye using various reducing sugars and alkalis. The use of sucrose and potassium hydroxide (KOH) for indigo dyeing has been explored for the first time. Design/methodology/approach A mixed factorial design with four variables including alkali, pH, number of dips and type of reducing sugar at different levels was studied to identify a significant correlation between the effect of these variables on the colour strength and fastness properties of the dyeings. Findings Investigations were made to examine the significant factors and interactions of the selected responses in the eco-friendly dyeing method. This process has the potential to reduce the load of sulphite and sulphate generated in the dyebath due to the use of a conventional reducing agent, sodium dithionite. The colour strength of the dyeing reduced with fructose was found to be better than other reducing sugars and significantly influenced by the number of dips, pH levels and the interaction between pH and reducing sugars. Using fructose for indigo dyeing with two dips at a pH of 11.5, using KOH as an alkali, results in higher colour strength values. The fastness properties of the indigo-dyed sample with reducing sugars ranging from fair to good or good to excellent. Specifically, colour change receives a rating of grey scale 3–4, staining 4–5, dry rubbing 4 and light fastness 3–4. These assessments hold true across various factors such as the type of reducing sugar, alkali, pH and the number of dips. The optimised parameters leading to improved colour strength and fastness properties are also discussed. Originality/value This dyeing technique is novel and a green alternative to dithionite denim dyeing. This process is found to be useful for indigo dyeing of denim fabric leading to reduced and stable redox potential in the dyebath and acceptable colour strength of the dyed fabric.

Suitability of dyes from cinnamon bark on wool fibers using metal and bio-mordants.

Growing concern about the environmental effects of metal mordants and synthetic dyes is encouraging the use of bio-mordants and natural colorants. Cinnamon bark is a rich source of natural colorants such as cinnamaldehyde and tannins. The main purpose of this research was to study and compare the effect of bio-mordants versus metal mordants in terms of colorimetric parameters and color fastness properties of cinnamon bark on wool fibers. Accordingly, some bio-mordants, including date kernel, peppermint, banana peel, and artemisia, as well as some metal mordants like aluminum potassium sulphate and copper sulphate, were studied based on three conventional mordanting methods (pre-, meta-, and post-mordanting). The results indicated that the conjunction of metal mordants and polyphenolic bio-mordants with cinnamon colorants can create different hues and tones of brown. Also, the color produced by cinnamon in wool fibers has poor color fastness and low color strength. Overall, bio-mordants have presented good color properties, making the dyeing process eco-friendly and greener. Among the applied bio-mordants, peppermint has created the best color strength and color fastness.

Exploring Ultrasonic‐Assisted Extraction and Eco‐Friendly Dyeing of Organic Cotton using Syzygium cumini Leaf Extracts

AbstractThe demand for natural dyes is increasing due to the negative environmental impacts of synthetic color. In fact, customers are becoming more concerned about their health and the environmentally friendly products. The aim of this research is to disclose the dye extraction process using the ultrasonic method and eco‐friendly dyeing of organic cotton knitted fabric. Initially, 10 g of Syzyguim cumini leaf powder was dissolved in 150 mL of purified water maintaining a 1 : 15 M : L ratio to extract the color. After that, the extracted dye solution was added to coloration bath following the M : L ratios of 1 : 16, 1 : 12, and 1 : 8 for producing dark, medium, and light shades, respectively. Post mordanting was done using natural lemon juice for colorfastness improvement. The color attributes were revealed by the spectrophotometric analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to comprehend the successful relationship that exists among SCL dyes and organic cotton fibers, and the TGA analysis confirmed that dyed fabric is more stable than undyed fabric. Moreover, the colored sample‘s pH, formaldehyde level, and presence of forbidden Azo groups (aromatic amines) were examined. The test results revealed that very good to excellent color fastness properties were obtained and no harmful chemicals were detected in the dyed samples.

Extraction and characterization of natural dye from leaves of Lannea coromandelica and application on cotton fabric

Purpose The purpose of this study is to extract and characterize a novel natural dye from the leaves of Lannea coromandelica and the extraction with finding ways of dyeing cotton fabric using three mordants. Design/methodology/approach The colouring agents were extracted from the leaves of Lannea coromandelica using an aqueous extraction method. The extract was characterized using analysis methods of pH, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and cyclic voltammetry measurement. The extract was applied to cotton fabric samples using a non-mordant and three mordants under the two mordanting methods. The dyeing performance of the extracted colouring agent was evaluated using colour fastness properties, colour strength (K/S) and colour space (CIE Lab). Findings The aqueous dye extract showed reddish-brown colour, and its pH was 5.94. The GC-MS analysis revealed that the dye extract from the leaves of Lannea coromandelica contained active chemical compounds. The UV-vis and FTIR analyses found that groups influenced the reddish-brown colour of the dye extraction. The cyclic voltammetry measurements discovered the electrochemical properties of the dye extraction. The mordanted fabric samples showed better colour fastness properties than the non-mordanted fabric sample. The K/S and CIE Lab results indicate that the cotton fabric samples dyed with mordants showed more significant dye affinities than non-mordanted fabric samples. Originality/value Researchers have never discovered that the Lannea coromandelica leaf extract is a natural dye for cotton fabric dyeing. The findings of this study showed that natural dyes extracted from Lannea coromandelica leaf could be an efficient colouring agent for use in cotton fabric.

EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF NATURAL DYE FROM ORANGE PEEL FOR TEXTILE APPLICATIONS

Awareness of the need to protect the environment and people's health has led to an intensification of concerns for obtaining sustainable products and processes. Toxic waste created during the production and use of synthetic dyes has an impact on both human and environmental health. As a result, natural dyes are more secure and safer than synthetic dyes. This study is significant because it has the potential to help develop sustainable and environmentally friendly textile dyeing techniques. In this study, a natural dye was successfully extracted from orange peel (Citrus recticulata Rutaceae) which was applied on textile fibre and was found to be partly effective for eco-friendly dyeing applications. The extracted dye does not have a good wash fastness, which is the ability of the fabric to retain its colour after washing. This weakness is demonstrated by carrying out a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis where the potential binding mechanisms between the dye and the textile fibres was revealed. Different functional groups can interact with the fibre’s functional groups, affecting the dye's affinity for the fabric and its overall colour fastness properties. Findings show that dyes from orange peels showed promise in this study, but need to be improved further. Therefore, the study suggests that further research is needed to optimize the dyeing process and improve the fabric's resistance to washing and other environmental factors.

Sustainable appraisal of lipstick tree seeds (Bixa orellana)-based bixin natural orange colorant for green mordanted silk fabrics and wool yarns.

This research aims to optimize the silk and wool dyeing process using natural dyes from Bixa orellana (annatto) through response surface methodology. Central composite design experiments highlight the significant enhancement of color outcomes achieved through microwave treatment. For silk, the optimal conditions (80 °C for 40 min) with annatto extract yield a color strength (K/S) of 17.8588, while wool achieves a K/S of 7.5329. Introducing eco-friendly bio-mordants, such as pomegranate peel and red sumac tannins, enhances color strength. Pre-dyeing treatments with 2% red sumac, 1.5% pomegranate peel, and weld flower extracts for silk produce high color strength, with K/S values of 16.4063, 16.3784, and 12.1658, respectively. Post-dyeing, the K/S values increase to 40.1178, 17.4779, and 21.6494. Wool yarn exhibits similar improvements, with pre-dyeing K/S values of 13.1353, 13.5060, and 16.3232, escalating to 10.5892, 15.3141, and 23.4850 post-dyeing. Furthermore, this research underscores improved colorfastness properties, including notable enhancements in light, wash, and rubbing fastness for both silk fabric and wool yarn. These findings underscore the efficacy of the proposed sustainable dyeing methods, offering valuable insights for eco-friendly textile production.

Waterborne polyurethane polymer dispersions using castor oil and curcumin as bioresources: Synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial textile applications

AbstractThe main goal of this study is to make new waterborne polyurethane polymers (WPUCs) using bioresources like curcumin as a chain extender and castor oil as a polyol. We explored different mole ratios of curcumin during the synthesis of WPUC polymers. The WPUC dispersions were well‐defined and had nanoparticle sizes that ranged from 80.1 to 48.2 nm. Their zeta potentials were between −61.7 and − 52.2 mV, which showed that they were more stable. The absence of a phenolic hydroxyl band in the synthesized WPUC's IR spectrum indicated the insertion of curcumin into the PU chain. The coating of WPUCs on polyester/cotton (PE/C) blend fabric showed an improvement in colorfastness properties and reduced air permeability. The enhanced bending modulus (enhanced stiffness), improved abrasion resistance, and higher tensile strength were also observed. Furthermore, the WPUC‐coated fabric samples showed a bacterial inhibition percentage of 83.12%–99.9999% (p < 0.001) compared with blank fabric against bacterias' because of the inherent nature of curcumin. Inserting a higher amount of curcumin in the polymer chain of WPUC improved the antibacterial effects. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights for the possible antibacterial textile applications of synthesized WPUCs.

The effect of recycled fiber content on performance/quality properties of swimwear fabrics

Due to the decrease in natural resources all over the world and the increase in global CO2 emissions, which make the biggest contribution to global warming and climate change, the use of recycled materials has gained great importance in the textile industry, as in other application areas. Reducing the use of new raw materials and producing products from old raw materials not only minimizes environmental impacts such as lower CO2 emissions during the landfilling, reduced consumption of natural resources, reduced waste disposal, but also reduces costs and provides a longer product life. This study investigates the effect of recycled polyester fiber on the performance/quality properties of swimwear fabrics. Swimwear fabric samples were produced from 100% recycled polyester, 50% recycled polyester/50% polyamide, 100% polyester and 100% polyamide, and tested in terms of bursting strength, seam strength, abrasion resistance, air permeability and color fastness properties.

Development of green and sustainable ammonia sensor from xanthohumol extract-immobilized polylactic acid nanofibers

Ammonia is a significant industrial gaseous agent that is colorless. However, long exposure to ammonia gas can cause organ damages or even death. This study describes the preparation of a solid-state vapochromic sensor for gaseous and aqueous ammonia using eco-friendly smart colorimetric polylactic acid nanofibers. Xanthohumol (XMOL) is a natural spectroscopic probe that can be found in the common hop (Humulus lupulus L.) plant. Nanoparticles of mordant/xanthohumol (M/XMOL) coordinated complex were synthesized by immobilizing the xanthohumol direct dyestuff into polylactic acid nanofibers in the presence of a mordant (potassium aluminum sulfate). Xanthohumol can be described as an appropriate sensor for gaseous and aqueous ammonia due to its tiny molecular size and high water-solubility. Both of CIE Lab color parameters and absorbance spectra were used to inspect the color shift of the xanthohumol-finished polylactic acid nanofibers from yellow to colorless upon exposure to ammonia. This could be attributed to the intramolecular charge transfer caused by molecular switching of xanthohumol. In a fraction of second, the polylactic acid nanofibrous fabric showed a colorimetric change with a detection limit of 10–450 mg/L. The absorption spectra of the xanthohumol probe exhibited hypsochromic shift with a wavelength change from 465 nm to 315 nm (isosbestic point of 370 nm) in response to an aqueous solution of ammonia. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images showed that M/XMOL particles were 13–27 nm in diameter, whereas scanning electron microscopic (TEM) images demonstrated that the polylactic acid nanofibers were 150–450 nm in diameter. We observed no significant differences in air-permeability and bending-length of the nanofibrous fabric after immobilization of M/XMOL into polylactic acid nanofibers. In addition, the colorfastness properties of the treated polylactic acid nanofibers were investigated.

Design, Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Properties of New Azo Disperse Dyes Incorporating Quinazolinone-Pyrazolone Moieties and Their Applications for Dyeing of Polyester Fabrics

The current study outlines a straightforward and efficient method for creating new quinazolinone disperse dyes based on pyrazolone moieties, starting with quinazolinone and a variety of substituted pyrazolone as couplers. The synthesized dyes were characterized using a variety of spectroscopic and analytical methods. The synthesized dyes' ultraviolet–visible spectra showed bands brought on by several molecular transitions. We investigated in detail the multifunctional characteristics such color representation, dyeing duration, concentration, pH, buildup, and fastness properties of the dyed samples. Fastness properties and colorimetric data showed satisfactory results, demonstrating the effectiveness of these dyes in dyeing polyester fabrics. A pH of 5 and a dyeing temperature of 130 °C were the ideal conditions for dyeing polyester fabrics. Additionally, an ultraviolet protection factor test was performed on the dyed fabrics, and the results showed that these dyes provide the best UV protection. These dyes are suitable for industrial dyeing applications since they are easy to manufacture and scale up. Additionally, in-vitro testing was done to determine the dyes' antibacterial effectiveness against various bacteria and fungi. The antibacterial activity of the dyes was moderate to very good against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi.

Green encapsulation of textile dyes using lecithin to increase dyeing performance

Purpose The purpose of this study is to use liposome technology in the treatment of fabrics textiles because of its efficient energy saving, reducing time and temperature. Design/methodology/approach The newly prepared lecithin liposome was used to encapsulate dyes for the purpose of increasing dyeing affinity. Different ratios of commercially available lecithin liposomes (1%, 3%, 5% and 7%) were used simultaneously in the dyeing of cotton and wool fabrics. The treated fabrics (cotton and wool fabrics) were confirmed using different analytical procedures such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transition infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet protection factor, colour strength (K|S) measurements and fastness measurements. Findings The results show that increasing liposome ratios in dyeing baths leads to increased dyeing affinity for cotton and wool fabrics compared with conventional dyeing without using liposomes. In addition to that, the colour strength values, infrared spectra, SEM and fastness properties of non-liposome-dyed fabrics and liposome-dyed fabrics were investigated. Originality/value The research paper provides broad spectrum of green encapsulation fabrics using liposome technology to perform the dye stability, dye strength and fastness.

Dyeing of Pineapple Leaf Fibers Using Various Natural Dye Extracts and Mordants

ABSTRACT Pineapple leaf fiber is an environment-friendly natural fiber that does not harm any natural substance. To produce commercially available and attractive textile materials, pineapple leaf fibers were bleached with hydrogen peroxide and colored with natural dyes. Four natural dyes (turmeric powder, ebony fruit, lac, and sappan wood) were selected as natural sources for the extraction of natural colorants with and without salt, alum, and lime as mordants. The hydrogen peroxide concentration of 10 %owf, liquor ratio of 1:100, contact time of 30 min, and bleaching temperature of 70 °C were found to be the optimum bleaching parameters. The uses of different types of mordant on natural dyes give a variety of shades. The positive value of color axes (a* and b*) was an affirmation of mixture of red and yellow colors of mordanted-dyed PALF. PALF displayed a satisfactory dyeing performance for ebony fruit extracted dye with adequate fastness properties (from good to excellent) for light, wash, and perspiration, whether unmordanted or mordanted. Meta-mordanting increased the colorfastness properties of the samples. Results show excellent coloring ability for pineapple fiber dyeing, which can be a potential substitute for synthetic fiber as a sustainable approach to clean production.

Sustainable Dyeing of Wool and Silk with Conocarpus erectus L. Leaf Extract for the Development of Functional Textiles

Natural dyes derived from plants offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes for textile coloration. This study examined the extraction of natural dyes from Conocarpus erectus L. leaves and their application on wool and silk fabrics. Aqueous extraction in an alkaline medium was used to obtain dyes from raw leaves, which were then applied to pre-mordanted silk and wool fabrics by applying the ultrasonic-assisted exhaust dyeing method. The dyed fabrics were evaluated for color strength (K/S) and CIELAB color coordinates. The color fastness (washing, rubbing, and light), ultraviolet protection factor, mosquito repellency, and antibacterial activity were established using standard testing protocols. The surface morphologies of silk and wool were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Interestingly, the dyed fabrics displayed good color strength and color fastness properties. Moreover, the dyed wool samples revealed satisfactory antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) in both qualitative and quantitative assessment methods, good ultraviolet protection in terms of UPF, and good mosquito repellency against Aedes aegypti. This study for the first time presented the application of a medicinal plant (Conocarpus erectus L.) in the field of textile dyeing and finishing. Hence, the use of Conocarpus erectus L. leaf dyes offers significant results on wool and silk fabrics and contributes to sustainable functional textile production.

Enhancing silk dyeing with eco-friendly colorant extracted from Cassia fistula brown pods using green mordants

This research project focuses on the extraction of the natural brown colorant, anthraquinone, from Cassia fistula pods using microwave radiation as a method for dyeing silk fabric. The colorant was isolated in aqueous and acidic mediums before and after microwave radiation for up to 6 min, and subsequently used for dyeing purposes. To achieve new and diverse hues, environmentally friendly chemical mordants (iron salt, aluminum salt, and tartaric acid) and biological mordants (red sumac, pomegranate, and hulela zard) were applied in varying quantities (ranging from 0.5g to 2.5g per 100 mL). Colorfast shades were developed by employing these mordants before and after the dyeing process on silk fabric. The dyeing variables essential for shade development before and after mordant application were determined through the utilization of central composite design for statistical analysis. The results indicated that the optimal conditions for irradiating both silk and extract were 6 min, while dyeing the irradiated silk fabric should be conducted at 75 °C for 45 min using 30 mL of extract irradiated at a pH of 3, with a salt concentration of 1.5g/100 mL. The optimized dyeing conditions also showed maximum level of colorfastness properties of 5 for light, 5 for wash, 5 for dry rubbing and 4/5 for wet rubbing. As a result, the extraction of anthraquinone from Cassia fistula pods using microwave radiation has the potential to be effective and ecologically benign, allowing for the creation of bright and colorfast hues on silk fabric. The results support the development of novel and sustainable dyeing techniques in the textile sector.

Effect of Microwave Irradiation on Coloring and Mechanical Properties of Direct Dyed Fabric

Microwaves have a very short wavelength which allows them to pass through the small spaces between molecules without being scattered. This allows the microwaves to penetrate the matter and heat it from the inside out, providing uniform heat, and makes microwave technology ideal for applications that require rapid and consistent heating. It has been hypothesized that microwaves may have a positive effect on the shade depth and color fastness of the fabric due to the increased temperature. This research is being done to test this hypothesis and to study the effects of microwaves on the shade depth and color fastness properties of the fabric. Microwave-irradiated fabric dyed before and after dyeing has a greater shade depth and better fastness properties than fabric dyed without irradiation.

D- π-A azo dyes bearing thiazole-diphenylamine units: Synthesis, photophysical and molecular structure properties, and use for dyeing of polyester fabrics

Herein, six new thiazole-dipehenylamine-based azo dyes containing azo and thiazole bridges and diphenylamine donor with different donor/acceptor groups were synthesized. All the synthesized dyes were characterized by FT-IR, NMR and HRMS analyses. The structure of (E)-N-methyl-4-((thiazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-N-phenylaniline (4) was conclusively confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Photophysical studies were performed in different solvents with various polarity. Although the three synthesized compounds can be represented as potential azo-hydrazone tautomers only the azo form was observed in all solvents used. UV/vis spectroscopic studies showed that the color changed dramatically when the dyes contain a strong electron accepting nitro substituent. Moreover, after protonation of azo dyes, with the exception of the azo dyes with nitro group, a bathochromic shift was observed. The effects of protonation on the geometry and electronic structure of the compounds were studied, and the NLO properties were also investigated using DFT calculations. In addition, the thermal stability of the azo dyes was investigated using thermal gravimetry (TGA). Dyeing performance was evaluated with these dyes on polyester fabric in an aqueous medium. All dyes except dyes 3 and 6 showed good color fastness properties. Therefore, these compounds can be used as textile dyes for polyester fabrics.

Microwave-assisted cleaner extraction of tannin from Terminalia chebula: A promising green method for sustainable leather dyeing

Natural dyes have gained significant attention in recent years due to their environmentally friendly characteristics. This research paper focuses on the dyeing of leather using a natural dye extracted from hulela zard (Terminalia chebula). The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of microwave-assisted extraction in isolating tannin from hulela zard and its subsequent application in leather dyeing. The research involved optimizing various dyeing parameters, such as temperature, time, pH, salt concentration, and extract volume, using a central composite design and response surface methodology. The results showed that microwave treatment significantly improved the extraction yield of tannin from hulela zard, while also enhancing the sorption behavior of leather. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis confirmed the surface modification of leather without affecting its chemical structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed no significant changes in the functional groups of dyed and undyed leather samples, indicating the preservation of the leather's chemical integrity. The colorfastness properties of the dyed leather were evaluated, and it was found that the combination of specific chemical mordants and bio mordants resulted in desirable colorfastness ratings. Overall, this research demonstrates the effectiveness of microwave-assisted extraction for obtaining tannin from hulela zard and its successful application in leather dyeing, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic dyes.

Comparative study on dyeing conventional polyester and microfibre polyester with disperse dye and evaluate different dyeing effects

In this study, an attempt was taken to dye conventional and microfibre polyester filaments with disperse dye and evaluate their different dyeing effects in similar dyeing condition. The main attention was given to find out K/S values, color difference and different color fastness properties (light and wash fastness) and also the amount of dyes addition required for microfibre polyester filaments to get the same depth of shade as conventional one’s. There were three different hues (Red, Navy and Green) of 5 different shades (0.5%, 1.5%, 3%, 4% and 6%) were used. The result shows that, microfibre polyester requires higher amount of dyes due to more surface area and greater absorbing capability of it. Almost similar light fastness was found in both conventional and microfibre polyester filaments and lower wash fastness properties of microfibre filaments when compared to those of conventional polyester.

Naphthoquinone disperse dyes and their dyeing application to polyethylene terephthalate fabrics

Examination of natural quinone dyes and their dyeing properties exist in the literature. However, disperse dyeing of synthetic quinone dyes on textile materials and examination of these properties are quite rare. In this study, the derivatives of new N-,O-heteroatom-substituted-1,4-naphthoquinone dyes were synthesized with the reactions between 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone with some aromatic and aliphatic N-nucleophiles according to Michael addition mechanism and the exact structure of dyes were specified by using various spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS, and UV/Vis.) and microanalyses. In the second step of this work, the polyethylene terephthalate fabrics were dyed with these newly synthesized disperse dyes. Dyeing performances such as dye exhaustion (%), color, and color fastness (to washing, alkaline perspiration, acidic perspiration, water, seawater, wet rub, dry rub, sublimation, and light fastness) properties of these dyes on PET fiber fabrics were investigated and compared. The highest color yield (K/S) by 12.33 was obtained with dye compound 10 at a dyeing depth of 3% owf and displayed better dyeing performance than the other dyes studied. In conclusion, PET fibers dyed with dye 2-4-(4-Chlorofenoxyaniline)-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (dye compound 10) displayed the highest dye exhaustion (%) values, the highest color yields, and excellent washing, perspiration (alkaline and acidic), water and seawater and rub (dry and wet) fastness values with no staining whatsoever.

Sustainable traditional natural dyeing practice in Daboya and Ntonso communities of Ghana

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the physical, ultraviolet (UV), colour appearance and colour fastness properties of selected fabrics dyed with natural dyes from Daboya and Ntonso communities of Ghana. The study further highlights the rich cultural heritage of traditional dyeing from these two communities. Craftsmen in West Africa especially Ghana, have sustained the traditional dyeing methods to produce textile products for consumers. Design/methodology/approach In this study, two sample fabrics were purchased from craftsmen at Ntonso and Daboya communities in Ghana. These fabrics were analysed at the laboratory under standard test methods for their physical, UV, colour appearance and colour fastness properties. Findings Results showed that all the sample fabrics have good UV shielding performance (ratings above 50+). Daboya sample fabrics (dyed with indigo dyes) produced more colour stains than the sample fabrics from Ntonso (dyed with black “kuntunkuni” dyes). The K/Ssum value or colour yield reduced after washing but that alternatively increased the calculated ultraviolet protection factor. Practical implications Findings from this study exposed the unique UV performance of dyed traditional fabrics (using natural dyes) from Ntonso and Daboya communities in Ghana. This inspires and enforces the need for craftsmen to improve their production cycle to produce these fabrics in different sizes which provides the necessary UV shielding abilities for consumers in the wake of climate changes. Originality/value This study demonstrated that the natural dyeing process at the two communities produced relatively good UV and colour fastness properties of the sample fabrics. These eco-friendly dyeing practices have survived over time to maintain and promote the concept of sustainability within the textile and fashion industry in Ghana.