UV Protection Properties of Cotton, Wool, Silk and Nylon Fabrics Dyed with Red Onion Peel, Madder and Chamomile Extracts

Abstract

Red onion peel, madder, chamomile and red onion/chamomile mixture (40 g/l, 50%wt) are extracted using aqueous solution at different temperatures (80-100°C). Cotton, wool, silk and nylon fabrics are dyed using a traditional method at pH 4 (except cotton at pH 8) using 25-40 g/l colorant extract, at specified temperature and time, without or with potash alum or FeSO4 (1.5 g/l). Colorimetric data (L*, a*, b*), Color strength (K/S) and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) are measured. Fastness properties of control and mordanted fabrics are assessed. UPF measurements reveal excellent UV protective properties for different fabrics colored with red onion, madder, chamomile and red onion peel/chamomile mixture (50% wt, 40 g/l) with or without mordants. Dyeing of fabrics without or with mordants gives excellent UPF factors (50+), except nylon which has an insufficient UPF with madder. These natural colored fabrics are suggested to prevent skin cancer and their colorants are recommended for textile coloration industry.