Cores da natureza: avaliação experimental da durabilidade de corantes naturais aplicados a fibras têxteis

Abstract

It is noticeable that sustainability is a theme that has become very popular in recent years within the fashion world. In this context, natural dyeing emerges as a less environmentally damaging alternative, although its durability is questioned, especially in artisanal and domestic practices. Despite being an age-old method, the natural pigmentation of fabrics fell into disuse with the arrival of technological advances and synthetic dyes, which guarantee more solid and cheaper colors, meeting a greater demand for production and consumption. Currently, some brands engaged in themes such as sustainability and slow fashion are reviving these practices, treating them as a less environmentally damaging alternative. With this in mind, the present work aimed to experimentally evaluate the durability of natural dyes applied to textile fibers through non-industrial processes. To carry out the tests, studies were conducted on textile fibers, natural dyes, as well as the application of traditional dyeing recipes. This study investigated the durability of natural home dyeing by subjecting dyed fabrics to everyday interventions such as washing and drying, verifying color permanence and degradation levels. The results obtained allowed for the evaluation of the performance of natural dyes under domestic conditions, indicating their potential and limitations regarding durability and verifying whether they are a viable alternative, for example, for independent breeders who rely exclusively on domestic methods for their dyeing. It concludes that natural home dyeing is more recommended for fabrics of animal origin because it has better adhesion and consequently guarantees color stability for a longer time. Furthermore, hand washing, combined with drying in the shade, is the most suitable method of preservation for maintaining the chromatic characteristics of the dyed fabrics.