A novel technique to minimise energy and pollution in the dyeing of linen fabric

Abstract

Garments made from linen fabrics have a natural feel and drape. Most commercially available direct and reactive dyes have only a moderate affinity for this cellulosic fibre, although this lack of affinity can be overcome by the use of electrolytes. As a result, high volumes of wastewater containing large amounts of chemicals are discharged from the typical cellulosic material dyehouse. The ‘no-salt dyeing’ of linen fabric with reactive and direct dyes was achieved by treating linen fabrics with chitosan in a microwave oven. After using the novel dye method, no observed enhancement of either wash or light fastness properties was seen. Dyebath reuse for both reactive and direct dyes was carried out in order to reduce the environmental impact of the dyes. This dyeing method was then applied to dyeing linen fabrics, with each of the items of clothing subjected to layout and cutting according to the design’s patterns; the dyeing results are discussed in this paper.