Environment-friendly reactive dyeing process for cotton to substitute dyeing additives

An attempt has been taken to reformulate the dyeing process of cotton fabric with the aim of reducing the environmental pollution with economic advantages by the substitution of harmful chemical auxiliaries with ethanol at low concentration. The results were studied in comparison with the standard conventional recipe, and a favorable effect of alcohol addition, at 1-3 g/L, on the dye uptake, equilibrium time of isothermal dyeing was achieved in laboratory scale. Fastness properties and dyeing levelness were also compared. Color fastness to wash and rubbing were found to be unaffected with better levelness of dyeing by the introduction of ethanol in the reactive dyeing recipe of cotton. Ethanol replaced dyeing auxiliaries successfully by serving the function of both wetting and leveling agent where it is readily biodegradable, and hence, this process becomes eco-friendly. Finally, environmental and economic issues arising from chemical substitution of dyeing additives with ethanol were considered, and environmental advantages and cost saving due to the application of ethanol in comparison with dyeing auxiliaries were brought to light.