Comparison of the dyeability of silk fabric using red spinach under various conditions / Farah Amira Yakob and Norhayati Sadri

Natural dyes are considered to be environmental friendly among dyers. The main raw material used for this thesis was dried red spinach which is widely available in this country. The two extraction methods used were inorganic extraction and organic soxhlet extraction. The usage of mordants such as alum and copper sulphate were investigated in this thesis to study the colour outcomes based on dye application via meta chrome and after chrome dyeing technique. Shades obtained on the silk from dyeing process are in hues of green and brownish green. Dyed silk samples were then tested for colourfastness against washing, light and rubbing or crocking. Generally it was found that samples dyed with soxhlet extracted dye perform better for the tests as compared to inorganic extracted dye.