Comparative study on natural and reactive dye for cotton coloration

Eco-friendly textile dyeing with natural dye is a global soaring interest for avoiding environment pollution incurred by synthetic dyes. This study attempts to compare the dyeing properties of cotton knitted fabric dyed with banana floral stem (BFS) sap and reactive dye. Natural dye i.e. BFS sap was extracted from the species of Musa sapientum by roller squeezer machine. The recipe of reactive dyeing was selected to match the exact shade with the natural dyed specimens. Conformation of the dye molecule fixation onto fiber surface was assured by FTIR-ATR spectra. Comparative analysis were carried out in response of degree of color levelness, color fastness to water, washing, perspiration, rubbing, light and effluent qualities. The economic viability of natural dyeing was also estimated. The specimens dyed with BFS sap have excellent color levelness and color durability characteristic alike reactive dye except light fastness properties. Moreover, natural dyeing costs were almost half of the reactive dyeing. Finally, this inquiry forecasts a less time, energy and water consuming, economical and ecofriendly dyeing process which could be deployed as replacement of reactive dyes with a few compromises.