Examining the effectiveness and the environmental impact of rinsing in reactive dyeing

Abstract

The effects of temperature, soaping, and neutralization on the washfastness properties of reactive dyestuffs have been studied. A conventional rinsing recipe has been selected along with two other recipes. The modified conventional recipe was similar except all chemicals were omitted. The non-conventional recipe was the same as the modified conventional but at elevated temperatures. The results indicate that neither the addition of soaping agents in the rinse baths nor the neutralizers have a considerable effect on colorfastness (except for the turquoise dyes), but do have a negative effect on organic pollution values. The neutralization step was necessary to improve the colorfastness of the turquoise dyes.