Dyeing of wool with the extract of henna leaves using mixed metal mordants

Woollen yarns have been dyed with colourant extracted from henna (Lawsonia inermis) leaves, in the absence and presence of mixed metal mordants for producing shades of different colours ranging from orange-yellow to reddish brown. Thirty six shades with appreciable change in hue and tone were obtained by varying mordants combinations as well as dye concentrations and investigated for colour characteristics and fastness properties. The use of mixed mordants produces significant improvement in depth of shade with remarkable changes in colour parameters. Dyed woollen yarns, in general, showed acceptable fastness to light, washing and rubbing. No considerable difference in light and wash fastness values were observed between mordanted and un-mordanted samples, however rub fastness values were improved significantly after mordanting