Enhancing the Fastness Properties of Plant-Dyed Brocades with Natural Preservatives

Xiangmei Kong, Jinqin Fan, Ye Wang, Chen Yang

Review
2025 / Volume 8 / Pages 105-124
Received 22 December 2024; Accepted 18 February 2025; Published 3 March 2025
https://doi.org/10.31881/TLR.2024.168

Abstract
Plant-dyed brocades face significant limitations due to their poor colour fastness, restricting their application in broader markets. This study aimed to address this challenge by exploring the impact of natural preservatives on enhancing the colour fastness of plant-dyed brocades. Six types of natural plant dyes and three natural preservatives were utilised in experimental trials, employing two colour fastness testing methods: lightfastness and washfastness. The plant dyes and preservatives were extracted, and various types of brocade were dyed. Subsequently, their colour fastness was rigorously assessed under light exposure and soap-washing conditions. The results demonstrated that the colour fastness of Ai Grass and Pomegranate Peel dyes notably improved when treated with tea polyphenols. Specifically, under soap washing conditions, the colour fastness of Ai Grass dye increased by approximately 30%, while Pomegranate Peel dye exhibited a 50% enhancement in colour retention. These findings underscore the potential of natural preservatives in stabilising the colour of plant-dyed textiles, offering a promising approach to improving the colour fastness of eco-friendly textiles. This, in turn, enhances their market competitiveness and promotes sustainable ecological development.

Keywords
natural dye, fastness properties, natural preservatives, eco-friendly, ecological development