Investigation of the Usability of Hibiscus Plant as a Natural Dye Source

It is known that various plant sources can be used in natural dyeing. Especially in the past, people used quite different types of plants in the coloring of textile products. In this context, it was targeted to investigate the availability of hibiscus plant in the coloration of wool fabrics. For this aim the wool samples, which are ready for dyeing, were dyed directly with the hibiscus plant. In other words, the hibiscus plant was not subjected to any extraction before dyeing and was added directly to the dye bath as a natural dye source. Dyeings were carried out using different mordanting agents according to the simultaneously mordanting method. In addition, mordant-free dyeing processes were carried out too. The dyeing process was carried out at 3 different concentrations of the natural dye source. After dyeings, for the evaluation of the colored wool samples, the CIE L*a*b* color values and color efficiencies (K/S) of the dyed fabrics were examined. In addition, washing and light fastnesses were also tested in order to evaluate the usage performances. As a result, it was observed that wool fabrics could be colored in the dyeing processes with hibiscus.