A comparative study on dyeing of wool with kesula flowers and khakre ka gond

摘要

The present paper reveals that the flowers as well as gum of kesula (butea monosperma) plant can be used successfully for dyeing wool. The technique was standardized by determining the optimum wavelength, dye material concentration, extraction time, dyeing time pH, concentration of mordants and mordanting methods. A wide range of shades was produced depending upon the type of mordant and different concentration of mordants. When we use different part of the same plant as a dye source remarkable difference in the shades can be seen like the shades of kesula flowers are pale yellow to brownish yellow while the shades of khakre ka gond are fast pink to maroon on dyed woollen samples. Colorfastness properties of dyed material were also assessed for various agencies. It showed good results with both the dye sources, for washing and perspiration fastness it is 4/4-5 (fairly good to excellent), for light fastness it is 5-7 (fair to very-good) on gray scale for woollen yarn. Hence, the kesula flowers and khakre ka gond, being eco friendly can be effectively used for woollen dyeing at commercial scale. Moreover, these dye sources are easily available on roadsides in villages and has good fastness properties. These dye sources can be sold in powder form or used directly for dyeing by the rural women and hence be a good source of income generation.