Dyeing of Cotton with Eco-Friendly Lac dye

摘要

Recent awareness about the toxicity and pollution caused by synthetic dyes has once again revived the interest in natural dyes. Lac is the secretion from the insect Kerria lacca. It contains a dye which can be obtained as a byproduct from the wash waters of lac processing industry. This dye has been known to dye wool and silk but has no affinity for cotton. Hence an attempt has been made to standardise a technique for dyeing of cotton with this dye. Chitosan, a naturally occurring polymer has been used as a pretreatment. The dye produces a violet colour on cotton fabric when dyed in an acidic medium. Colour strength, colour co-ordinates and fastness properties of the dyed materials have been discussed.