Utilization of Red Apple Peel Extract in Dyeing of Wool Fabric

The utilization of natural colorants in textile dyeing and printing has come to the forefront of production of textile goods. Extractions of natural dyes from waste materials and their utilization in coloration of textiles have positive impact economically and ecologically. In this study, red apple (Malus domestica) peel extract was used in dyeing of wool fabric in presence of mordant. Adopting pre-, meta-, and post-mordanting methods; four mordants were used; namely, Fe+2, Cu+2, Al+3, and Sn+2, were used in dyeing of wool with red apple peel (RAP) extract. The effects of various dyeing conditions; namely, dye concentration, pH, time, and temperature of dyeing on the dyeability of wool with RAP extract were studied. The dyeing characteristics of the dyed wool fabrics were assessed by determination of their color strength and the CIELAB color system. The kinetics of dye adsorption were investigated at the assigned optimum dyeing condition. Results of this study proved that the dyeing operation of wool fabric with RAP extract fits well with a second-order reaction. Wool fabrics dyed using meta-mordanting method exhibited adequate to very good fastness properties against washing, rubbing, perspiration, and light.