Introduction
In this experiment, we will be testing whether fabrics dyed with the natural dyes made of vegetables and fruits would retain their original color or not after washing them with modern detergents.
Aim
To test whether a detergent successfully removes the stain of natural dyes made of vegetables and fruits from fabrics.
Theory
We hypothesized that dyes’ color fixative would hold the color in the fabric.
Natural Dyes
Requirements
2. Detergent
3. 5 cups onion skin (1 l 250 ml)
4. 5 cups beets (1 l 250 ml)
5. 5 cups blueberries (1 l 250 ml)
6. 5 cups raspberries (1 l 250 ml)
7. 2.7432 meters of 100 % cotton quilters broadcloth
8. Four pots
9. Clear and free detergents
10. Water
11. Strainer
12. Salt
13. White vinegar
14. Potholders
15. Measuring cups
16. Scissors
17. Four stirring spoon
18. Four large bowls
19. Cutting board
20. Knife
21. Notebook
Procedure
Step 1: For this experiment, we will be performing three tests.
Step 2: Using the scissor, cut four pieces of cloth from the taken cloth.
Step 3: Color these clothes with onion skin, blueberries, raspberries, and beets.
Step 4: Now, put one of the clothes in the washing machine for the first experiment.
Step 5: Pour detergent and water into the washing machine.
Step 6: Put the second cloth in the washing machine for the second experiment.
Step 7: Add only water to the machine. Do not add detergent in this experiment.
Step 8: The last experiment you have to do is in a sink. And this time also, do not add detergents, only water.
Step 9: Repeat each test three times for accurate results.
Step 10: Record your observations.
Observation
1. From the experiment, we observed that the color of some dye washed out completely while some got lightened.
2. Onionskin was the only dye that did not completely wash out.
3. Almost all the colors went away or lightened in the washing machine.
4. When we washed them in the sink, the dyes could not be washed out and remained the same.
5. The experiment that we performed with or without detergent stayed the same. When we washed the dye in detergent, the color was distributed evenly, while the color was distributed unevenly in the absence of detergent.
Result
1. The hypothesis in which we assumed that the dye color would not go away was wrong. Because we found, apart from onion skin, almost all the color went away.
2. The color pigment level in onion skin has something which protects its color from getting affected by the detergent.
3. Another reason is the reaction between the pH level of the dye and water and detergent in the washing machine.
4. We found the color stayed almost the same on washing the fabrics in the sink. But when we washed them in the washing machine, the color disappeared.
5. The reason is the constant movement of fabrics inside the washing machine.
Precaution
1. Perform at least three tests for each experiment.
2. Make sure each of the fabrics has the same dye.
Conclusion
In this experiment, we colored fabrics with natural dyes and tried to remove the color using detergents to check if they successfully removed the dye or not.
Viva Questions With Answers
Q.1 What was the aim of your experiment?
ANS. We aimed to check if detergent can retain the color of fabrics after coloring them with natural dyes or not.
Q.2 Which natural dye was not affected by the detergent?
ANS. Onion skin was almost unaffected by the detergents.
Q.3 Which method could not retain the color of fabrics?
ANS. When washed with hands, fabrics could not retain their natural color.
Q.4 Which method was best for removing natural dye from the fabrics?
ANS. When washed in the washing machine using detergents and water.

Saquib Siddiqui is a Mechanical Engineer and a content creator. He has special interest in science experiments and teaches the same to school and college students. He is also a technical lead at RUDE LABS PVT. LTD.
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