There is so much to learn about Natural Dyes for textile

With the rise in consciousness about the environmental problems and health hazards related to synthetic dyes, use of natural dyes for textile and other applications is increasing. Natural dyes are colorants extracted from plants, minerals, invertebrates and are easy to use on clothing or other materials. They pose zero risk of allergies, toxic effects or pollution and lend a superior sensory experience to garments. Textile industries can benefit immensely from natural dyes, since they will reduce the cost of production and nullify the expense of chemical imports.

Natural vegetable dyes obtained from roots, flowers, fruits and leaves of plants and natural indigo dyes, constitute a major section of natural dyes. Textiles like cotton, wool, silk, linen, nylon, viscose, polyester, and acrylic are increasingly incorporating the use of herbal dyes or other organic dyes. Wool yarns are also often natural dyed and are very suitable for both hand and machine knitting. Natural dyed apparels are gentle on the skin, are comfortable to wear round the year and look distinct too. Sam Vegetable Colours, is one such natural dyes manufacturer in India.

Natural dyes – sources, colors and moreNatural dyes for textile are available in a number of colors and offer many benefits. Natural Indigo gives a deep blue color on wool, silk, cotton and such, and shows fastness after washing or exposure to light. The indigo plant is also known to have medicinal properties and is believed to counter many ailments.

Mallow is a natural dye acquired from the fruit rind of pomegranate. It gives yellow, khaki and gray colors and can change with change in pretreatment auxiliary during dyeing process. Any textile dyed with Mallow, has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and astringent properties.

Bee, a brown dye from heart wood of Acacia Catechu, has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and astringent properties, like Mallow. It is easy to apply on different textiles like cotton, wool or silk, and the color is fast. Rubia is a dye extracted from the roots and rhizomes of Madder and produces red, pink and orange hues. It also exhibits anti-microbial properties.

Nimbus is an insect dye obtained from Lac and gives red and violet colors. The dye is water soluble and can be transformed from violet to red and brown shades. Kareel is a greenish yellow dye from the fruit of Myrobolan and also gives khaki and gray colors. Myrobolan primarily grows in the Himalayas.

Insect is a natural dye acquired from rhizome of Himalayan Rhubarb and produces bright yellow and brown colors. The plant has medicinal values such as anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Insect is a conventional textile dye.

Flame dye is obtained from the evergreen plant Kamala or Red Kamala. It lends orange yellow or golden yellow colors to wool or silk. The dye is in powder form and the plant is known to have anti-allergic properties.

Care tips for natural dyes

Textiles treated with natural dyes need care. Avoid using harsh detergents or bleach during washing. Hard alkaline water or water containing iron can be harmful too. Always dry them in shade and store in cool, dark places in vacuum sealed bags, preferably. Acid spills or rust can damage natural dyed textiles too. Use gentle cycle for machine washes.