Extraction of Natural Dyes from the locally available plant sources

Abstract Natural dyes have been a component of human existence throughout the beginning of time. Natural dyes offer a sustainable way to color the fabric, fiber and yarns. Natural dyes are more environmentally friendly and have superior biodegradability. Synthetic dyes have a greater range of colour options, are more useful, simpler to use, and are more cost-effective. Yet, there are drawbacks to synthetic dyes as well, one of which is the waste produced during the staining procedure. In this experimental study, the process of extraction from leaves of different locally available plants have been done, application of the extracted dyes onto cotton fabric and silk fabric has been experimented and then fastness tests were performed. It is found that the exposure of the dyed fabrics to the sunlight for specified period of time has not changed the color. The search for natural dyes from plants can be continued and methods for extraction of dyes from these sources can be researched in future.