A green approach of vat dyeing of cotton fabric with natural reducing agents

This study focuses on an eco-friendly approach to vat dyeing of cotton fabric using natural reducing agents and compare their performance with a conventional reducing agent. Natural reducing agents derived from pineapple barks, watermelon, and carambola extracts were investigated as alternatives. The reduction potential and FTIR of these natural extracted reducing agents were evaluated to assess their dyeing capability. Different colorimetric properties, color strength, colorfastness, bursting strength and pilling resistance of the dyed fabrics were analyzed. The environmental impact of the dyeing process was assessed by measuring parameters such as BOD, COD, TDS, DO and pH values. The results indicated that the natural reducing agents exhibited comparable reduction potential to sodium dithionite. Colorimetric analysis revealed that the optimal concentrations of the reducing agents for dyeing were 500–600 ml/l. The carambola extract showed the best colorimetric properties among the three reducing agents tested. The study demonstrates the potential of natural reducing agents as eco-friendly alternatives for vat dyeing of cotton fabric, contributing to sustainable and green textile dyeing processes.