Abstract Recently research catering to the use of natural dyes has garnered worldwide attention due to their non-toxic and eco-friendly nature. However, dyeing with natural dyes has some inherent challenges like low color fastness, the requirement of mordents and chemicals as fixers, lower yields, which have greatly restricted their use on an industrial scale. Eco-friendly surface modification techniques like plasma treatment, enzyme treatment or irradiation with UV and sonication are gaining popularity nowadays for surface modification of natural polymers because of health hazards associated with the use of conventional methods. All of them are essentially dry processes providing modification of the top nanometer surface leaving bulk properties of the material unaffected without using solvents or generating any chemical waste. This paper reviews the recent studies involving modification techniques applied on commonly used natural fibers like cotton and silk for enhancement of dye uptake using natural dyes and also various application of natural dyes to provide antimicrobial, UV resistant or insect repellent finishing to the fabrics.