Effects of Different Mordants on Silk Fabric Dyed with
Onion Outer Skin Extracts
At present, a higher demand is put towards the use of natural dyes due to increased awareness of the environmental and health
hazards associated with the synthesis and use of synthetic dyes. This research was conducted using onion outer skins as a potential
source of natural plant dyes. In this study, extraction of dye was carried out in aqueous boiling method. Premordanting technique
was followed using different mordants, namely alum, ferrous sulphate, tin, tannic acid, tartaric acid, and their combinations on silk
fabric. Fabric samples dyed without using any mordant were then compared with the dyed samples pretreated with the mordants.
The range of colors developed on dyed materials was evaluated by measuring the color values with respect to