Ecofriendly printing of jute fabric with natural dyes and thickener

Abstract

Ecofriendly chemical processing of jute fabric followed by printing with natural dyes using natural thickeners produces printed jute fabric that may be used for variety of diversified and value added applications. Bioscouring and bleaching makes the fabric white (Whiteness Index 82.44 in HUNTER scale) and soft (bending rigidity 623–686). The fabric was then mordanted with myrobolan extract and potash alum. Natural dyes were extracted from seeds of annatto, roots of manjistha and bark of ratnajot by aqueous extraction method. The particle size of the dyes was in the range of 400–900 nm. Four natural thickeners like guar gum, gum Arabic, sodium alginate, and gum indulka were used for printing. Evaluation of these printed fabrics reveals that very good wash and rubbing fast printed jute fabric can be produced from natural dyes and natural thickener guar gum by substantive screen printing method and can be used as decorative, furnishing, and apparel textiles.

Keywords

• bioscouring
• mordanting
• printing
• natural dyes
• natural thickeners
• jute fabric