Undergraduate Research

A Case Study of Colorfastness of Waterless Dyed Fabrics Sustainable for the Environment

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Abstract

In the fashion Industry there are high amounts of chemically tainted wastewater that is being used in the production of textile products. Waterless dyeing is a new dying process that doesn’t require water. Instead, this waterless dyeing process takes CO2 to dye the textile products. CO2 use for dyeing textiles is more sustainable for the environment and will save freshwater that is typically being used to dye textiles. Traditional dyeing processes use large amounts of water, energy, and chemical additives to fix the dye on the fibers. Using CO2 instead can decline the level of pollution and drastically decrease the number of chemicals used in textile dyeing. The purpose of this study was to examine the colorfastness of waterless dyed fabric through AATCC standard test methods. We examined a waterless dyed pair of leggings made from 79% recycled polyester and 21% elastane through AATCC 15 Colorfastness to Perspiration, AATCC Colorfastness to Crocking, AATCC 61 Colorfastness to Laundering, and AATCC 19 Colorfastness to Flat Abrasion (Frosting). Results indicate the waterless dyed fabric had color change and/or staining issues in colorfastness to perspiration, crocking, laundering, and frosting. Consumers would have low satisfaction of colorfastness performance, especially if the waterless dyed garment was not cared for properly. The possible defects would include color or shade change in the garment as well as possible abrasion and color change in areas of the garment that rub or experience the most contact. Additional textile testing should be conducted to create more in-detail information about the waterless dyed fabric performance for consumers’ wise choice of waterless dyed fabrics.

How to Cite:

Zitkus, M., Lowe, B., Voss, B., Fields, T., Porter, S. & Yu, U., (2020) “A Case Study of Colorfastness of Waterless Dyed Fabrics Sustainable for the Environment”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 77(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.11760