Increasing environmental awareness has led to a growing global demand for plant-based dyes, which are safer and more eco-friendly alternatives to traditional synthetic dyes, often containing hazardous chemicals. This study aimed to explore the potential of natural dye from wax apple (Syzygium samarangense) leaves for dyeing cotton and silk fabrics. An aqueous extract was prepared and applied without the use of any mordant, at dye concentrations of 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9%. The color strength of the dyed fabrics increased with dye concentration, reaching a maximum K/S value of 1.863 at 9% for cotton, while silk achieved saturation at 7% with a K/S value of 4.463. Washing fastness, assessed using the gray scale, ranged from Fair (Rating 3) to Good (Rating 4) for cotton, whereas silk exhibited Very Good (Rating 4–5) to Excellent (Rating 5) performance. In perspiration, rubbing, and light tests, all samples showed very good to excellent results. Additionally, tensile strength tests indicated no significant impact on the structural integrity of cotton and silk fabrics after dyeing. Overall, the dye offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative, as it is nontoxic and abundant, and provides a renewable source of colorant for dyeing both cotton and silk textiles.
Kamal et al. (Thu,) studied this question.