Eco-Friendly Dyeing of Okra Fibers Using Mate Tea Waste

In this study, dyeing of okra fibers has been studied via use of mate tea waste as a natural dyestuff. To enable the industrial adaptation of the experimental study, the meta-mordanting method was preferred, and non-toxic metal salts were used as mordants in the dyeing process. The effects of mordant concentration and cationization process on the dye yield and fastness properties were investigated. The colour of each dyed material was evaluated in terms of the CIELAB (L*, a* and b*) and K/S values. The colour fastness to washing, crocking, perspiration of the dyed samples was determined according to AATCC test methods, and colour fastness to light was tested according to the ISO standard. The obtained shades were golden, grey-green, beige, brown and mink color tones with generally a good fastness. Additionally, the metal concentration in the wastewater was examined in terms of environmental factors and the optimization of mordant concentration in the dye bath. Keywords Natural dyes, Okra fibers, Mordant, Fastness, Ecologic dyeing.