Abstract: The present invention relates to dye mixtures which comprise at least one dye of the formula (I) and at least one dye of the formula (II) in which R1, R2, R3, and X are defined as stated in claim 1, to processes for their preparation, and to their use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous dye solution comprising a) 5 to 30% by weight of an anionic or cationic direct dye, b) 0.01 to 5% by weight of the compound of formula (1), in which M represents hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, ammonium or ammonium, that is mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-substituted by C1-C4alkyl or C2-C4hydroxyalkyl or mixtures thereof, c) 0 to 10% by weight of an inorganic or an organic acid, d) 0 to 20% by weight of further additives and e) water to complete to 100%, with the proviso that direct dyes of the formula (2) in which K is a residue of a coupling component of the acetoacetanilide, pyridone, pyrazolone or pyrimidine series and M is as defined above, are excluded, a process for their preparation and the use thereof for dyeing paper.

Abstract: A method of dyeing or printing textile fiber materials, which comprises bringing the fiber material into contact with (a) at least one reactive dye containing at least one anionic group, (b) at least one compound which reduces the ionic character of the anionic group, and (c) at least one nucleophilic compound, yields dyeings or prints having deep hues and very good fastness properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to monoazo, disazo and trisazo colorants of the formula (I) where M represents two hydrogen atoms or one metal ion selected from the group consisting of Cu, Co, Ni, Mn, Zn and Al; A is the radical of a substituted naphthyl or pyrazolyl radical.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) wherein all substituents are as defined in the claims as optical brighteners as well as to new mixtures of optical brighteners.

Abstract: A modified regenerated cellulose fiber which enables dyeing in different colors by combining the modified regenerated cellulose fiber and other fibers by means of mixed spinning or union knitting/weaving. The modified regenerated cellulose fiber can be obtained by adding 0.5–3.0% by weight of a grounder of naphthol dye to the regenerated cellulose fiber in a matrix of the regenerated cellulose fiber, the grounder being selected from the group having a medium to high level of affinity to the regenerated cellulose fiber. A variety of dyed fiber products can be obtained by treating yarn or knitted/woven fabric made of the above modified regenerated cellulose fiber with a developer of naphthol dye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for removing excess dye from dyed and/or printed materials, such as, textile materials dyed with disperse dyes, by treating a dyed or printed material with an esterase. The improvements resulting form the present invention include, for example, improvements in the washfastness, the wetfastness, the crockfastness, sublimation, and/or the quality of the color, such as, brightness, of dyed and/or printed materials. The present invention also relates to methods for printing or dyeing a material by dyeing or printing the material with a combination of a dye that is affected by esterase treatment and a dye that is not affected by esterase treatment, and after dyeing or printing the material, discharging residual dye by treating the material with an esterase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for removing excess dye from dyed and/or printed materials, such as, textile materials dyed with disperse dyes, by treating a dyed or printed material with an esterase. The improvements resulting form the present invention include, for example, improvements in the washfastness, the wetfastness, the crockfastness, sublimation, and/or the quality of the color, such as, brightness, of dyed and/or printed materials. The present invention also relates to methods for printing or dyeing a material by dyeing or printing the material with a combination of a dye that is affected by esterase treatment and a dye that is not affected by esterase treatment, and after dyeing or printing the material, discharging residual dye by treating the material with an esterase.

Abstract: Fabric blends of inherently flame resistant fibers and flame resistant cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant. According to the method of production of these blends, the inherently flame resistant fibers can be dyed a full shade of color without depleting the flame retardant contained in the cellulosic fibers. In addition, the potential for laundering shrinkage of the inherently flame resistant fibers of the blends is reduced regardless of whether both, one of, or neither of the inherently flame resistant fibers and the flame resistant cellulosic fibers are dyed. Dyeing and/or shrinkage prevention of these blends is conducted at temperatures below 100° C., typically approximately between 70° C. and 100° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dyes of formula wherein R1 is hydrogen, bromine, chlorine, cyano, R2 is hydrogen, methyl, acetylamino, R3 is ethyl unsubstituted or substituted by cyano or by acyloxy, R4 is ethyl unsubstituted or substituted by cyano or by acyloxy, to a process for their preparation and to their use in the dyeing or printing of hydrophobic fiber materials.

Abstract: A method for dyeing cellulosic materials with reactive dye by pretreating the fabric with a polycationic polymeric agent which is desirably also polynucleophilic is disclosed. The agent can be a polyquaternary amine material especially a poly(DADMAC) or polyvinylpyridine, particularly one including nucleophilic sites such as primary amino groups, e.g. polyallylamine/DADMAC copolymers and polyvinylpyridines quaternisied with w-aminoalkyl groups. The dyes can react with the nucleophilic centres so dyebath exhaustion can be driven by dye fixation rather than substantivity to the substrate. The need to use of salts to drive substantivity can be obviated and post dyeing washing to remove unreacted/hydrolysed dye is much simplified. Material dyed by the method has the good wash fastness properties of materials dyed using reactive dyes. A wide variety of cellulosic substrates can be dyed including lyocell fibre materials and blend/union materials with polyamides.

Abstract: A method of dyeing cellulosic fibers or fabrics using pre-metallized acid dye by pretreating the fabric with a cationic agent having a plurality of cationic centers and optionally after treating the dyed material with a cationic polymer is disclosed. The cationic polymer is desirably a polyquaternary amine material especially a poly(DADMAC) or polyvinylpyridine. Material dyed by the method has a “washed out” appearance similar to fabrics dyed using the “Jarofast” process, but the availability of a wide range of pre-metallized dyes gives a wider color range, and the method enables a wider range of substrates to be dyed successfully, including lyocell fiber materials e.g. those sold under Courtauld's trademark “Tencel” and blend/union materials with polyamides, easier processing and superior wash and light fastness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dye mixtures comprising at least one compound of the formula (I) ##STR1## and at least one compound of the formula (II) ##STR2## where the substituents are each as defined in the description part, which are highly useful for dyeing and printing hydrophobic synthetic material.

Abstract: Disclosed are aminated acetate fiber comprising acetylcellulose and one or more water-insoluble quaternary starch ether esters, said starch ether esters containing ester groups of formulae --O--CO--CH.sub.3 and/or --O--CO--C.sub.2 H.sub.5 and ether groups of the general formula I--O--CH.sub.2 --X--CH.sub.2 --N.sup.+ R.sub.3 A.sup.- (I)whereX is a direct bond or --CH(OH)-- andA.sup.- is an anion or one equivalent of an anion, andR is hydrogen, methyl and/or ethyl,and the degree of substitution of said ether group being within the range from 0.002 to 0.8, the degree of substitution of said ester group being within the range from 0.7 to 2.998 and the overall degree of substitution being within the range from 1.5 to 3, its preparation and its use and also quaternary starch ether esters present therein.

Abstract: Methods of dyeing a material, comprising treating the material with a dyeing system which comprises (a) one or more mono-, di- or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic compounds, and (b) (i) a hydrogen peroxide source and an enzyme exhibiting peroxidase activity or (ii) an enzyme exhibiting oxidase activity on the one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic compounds; wherein the material is a fabric, yarn, fiber, garment or film made of cotton, diacetate, flax, linen, lyocel, polyacrylic, synthetic polyamide, polyester, ramie, rayon, tencel, or triacetate.

Abstract: A process for dyeing or printing cellulosic fiber materials, which comprises using at least one reactive dye of formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each independently of one another hydrogen, halogen, sulfo, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy,R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are each independently of the other hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkanoylamino, ureido, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy which is unsubstituted or substituted in the alkyl moiety by hydroxyl, sulfato or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy,Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently of the other vinyl or the radical --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --U, andU is a leaving group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for dyeing a material, comprising (a) treating the material with a dyeing system which comprises one or more reduced vat dyes and/or one or more reduced sulfur dyes; and (b) oxidizing the one or more reduced vat dyes or one or more reduced sulfur dyes adsorbed onto the treated material with an oxidation system comprising (i) an oxygen source and one or more enzymes exhibiting oxidase activity or (ii) a hydrogen peroxide source and one or more enzymes exhibiting peroxidase activity, to convert the one or more reduced dyes to their original oxidized insoluble colored forms; wherein the material is a fabric, yarn, fiber, garment or film made of cotton, diacetate, flax, fur, hide, leather, linen, lyocel, polyacrylic, polyamide, polyester, ramie, rayon, silk, tencel, triacetate, viscose or wool.

Abstract: Cellullosic textile materials are dyed by a pad or spraying process using a solution which contains 5-100 g/l of inorganic polyphosphate and has a pH of 10-13.5.

Abstract: A dye mixture comprising one or more disazo dyes composed of 1-amino-3,6-disulfo-8-naphthol as the coupling component and of two diazo components of the aniline series containing each a fiber-reactive group of the vinylsulfone series, one or more monoazo dyes composed of a carboxy-substituted benzoylamino-sulfo-naphthol coupling component and a diazo component of the aniline series, containing a fiber-reactive group of the vinylsulfone series and optionally one or two monoazo dyes with 1-amino-3,6-disulfo-8-naphthol as a coupling component to which is coupled in the ortho-position to the amino group a diazo component of the aniline series substituted by a fiber-reactive group of the vinylsulfone series. The dye mixtures yield on hydroxy- and/or carboxamido-containing fiber materials, such as cellulose fibers, in particular cotton, or on, for example, wool and synthetic polyamide fibers, deep black dyeings.

Abstract: The invention is directed to (1) a method for increasing the color fastness of dyed textiles subject to exposure by atmospheric gases by treating said textiles with a fade-inhibiting amount of a composition comprising at least one polyalkylene imine and (2) the dyed textiles so treated.

Abstract: A method for dying-finishing of textile fabrics which contain modified cellulose regenerated fiber capable of dyeing with cationic dyes which contains an insoluble polymer which is obtained by cross-linking a dihydroxydiphenylsulfone-sulfonate condensate with epoxy compounds having at least two epoxy groups in the molecule, and at least one kind of fiber selected from ordinary cellulose regenerated fiber, cotton and wool, the method comprising steps ofdying of the textile fabrics containing modified cellulose regenerated fiber with a dyeing solution containing cationic dyes alone or containing the cationic dyes and dyes other than cationic dyes by one-bath dying method, concentration of the cationic dyes being decided for the modified cellulose regenerated fiber weight and concentration of the dyes other than cationic dyes being decided for the whole weight of the textile fabric,treating the dyed textile fabric sequentially with an aqueous solution of tannic acid for applying tannic acid 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid or pulverulent textile dye preparations including one or more dispersants based on an alkoxylated and carboxylic-esterified castor oil of the general formula I ##STR1## where A, X.sup.1, X.sup.2, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, Z.sup.3, n.sup.1 and n.sup.2 are each as defined in Claim 1.

Abstract: Melamine fibers and cellulose fiber combinations are dyed with certain dyes such that the cellulose fiber is dyed by the dyes but the melamine fiber is substantially undyed. When in fabric form, a chambray appearance is given.

Abstract: A method is provided for dyeing a non-cellulosic organic material with a dye, preferably a vat dye, comprising (a) treating the material with a dye in the presence of a reducing agent and an alkali and (b) oxidising the treated material produced in step (a) characterised in that the concentration of reducing agent used in step (a) is increased above that used for conventional vat dyeing such that the resultant dyed material has a lightfastness of 5 or more by BS 1006 B01 and B02 (1978) and/or has a washfastness or 5 or more by British Standard Test BS 1006 C06.C2 (1981). Preferably the step (a) is carried out in the presence of an alkali in concentration of at least 0.5 molar, more preferably 1 molar or more and most preferably 1 to 4 molar. The method provides vat dyed non-cellulosic organic materials having a reflectance of infrared light of wavelength 400 nm to 680 nm of less than 15%.

Abstract: A dye of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: D is a group of Formula (2): ##STR2## or a group of Formula (3): ##STR3## or a group of Formula (4): ##STR4## The variables are defined in the disclosures. The dyes and dye mixtures produce blue to green shades on synthetic textile materials such as polyester which have good build up and good light- and wet-fastness.

Abstract: Aminated cellulosic synthetic fibers are produced by adding an amine-substituted cellulose derivative to a viscose or an alkali cellulose and spinning fibers by the viscose spinning process, or by adding said cellulose derivative to a cellulose solution and spinning fibers from said solution.

Abstract: Process for preparing colored regenerated-cellulose fiber, which comprises adding a formulation comprising a cationized polysaccharide and an anionic dye to a viscose dope, an alkali cellulose or a cellulose solution and spinning fiber by a viscose spinning process or from the cellulose solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the dyestuff of the formula I ##STR1## modifications of this dyestuff which are stable during dyeing, processes for the preparation thereof and their use for dyeing and printing synthetic fiber materials.

Abstract: A process for coloring a synthetic textile material or fiber blend thereof which comprises applying to the synthetic textile material a dye, which is free from water solubilizing groups, carrying at least one --SO.sub.2 F group provided that the dye is not an azo, bisazo or anthraquinone dye.

Abstract: A dye mixture of azo dyes having fiber-reactive groups of the vinylsulfone series, comprising one or more navy-blue disazo dyes with the bivalent 1-amino-8-hydroxy-3,6-disulfo-naphthylene coupling component, one or more red-dyeing mono azo dyes, containing a phenylamino-chlorotriazinylamino-disulfo-naphthol-coupling component and one or more orange-dyeing monoazo dyestuffs with an amino-sulfonaphthol-coupling component, which dye mixtures are suitable for dyeing hydroxy- and/or carboxamido-groups containing materials, in particular fiber materials, such as cellulose fibers, for example cotton, wool and synthetic polyamide fibers.

Abstract: A dye of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: D is a group of Formula (2): ##STR2## or a group of Formula (3): ##STR3## or a group of Formula (4): ##STR4## The variables are defined in the specification. The dyes and dye mixtures produce blue to green shades on synthetic textile materials such as polyester which have good build up and good light- and wet-fastness.

Abstract: Dyed cellulosic regenerated elongate members such as fibers are produced by dyeing the regenerated members with a cationic direct dye after formation but before first drying. A method of producing the dyed elongate members comprises forming a dope containing cellulose or a cellulose compound in solution in a solvent, extruding the dope through at least one orifice into a bath containing water to form an elongate extrudate from which solvent is dissolved and/or the cellulose compound is converted to cellulose so as to form the elongate member, dyeing the formed but never dried elongate member with a cationic direct dye and optionally also with an anionic direct dye and then drying for the first time the dyed elongate member.

Abstract: Cellulosic textiles are printed or dyed with multiple hook reactive dyes without fabric hand harshening on using a reactive dye preparation containing 0.5 to 10% by weight of a surfactant and 0 to 10% by weight of an antifoaming agent.

Abstract: The disperse dyes of formula I ##STR1## wherein the symbols D, K, R.sub.3-5, R.sub.10, m, z, n and Y possess the significances given in claim 1, are eminently suitable for dyeing or printing hydrophobic, fully or semi-synthetic, organic fiber materials.

Abstract: A method is provide for dyeing a non-cellulosic organic material with a dye, preferably a vat dye, comprising (a) treating the material with a dye in the presence of a reducing agent and an alkali and (b) oxidising the treated material produced in step (a) characterised in that the concentration of reducing agent used in step (a) is increased above that used for conventional vat dyeing such that the resultant dyed material has a lightfastness of 5 or more by BS1006 B01 and B02 (1978) and/or has a washfastness of 5 or more by British Standard Test BS1006 CO6.C2 (1981). Preferably the step (a) is carried out in the presence of an alkali in concentration of greater than 0.1 molar, more preferably a concentration of 0.2 molar or more and most preferably greater than 1 molar.The method provides vat dyed non-cellulosic organic materials having a reflectance of infra-red light of wavelength 400 nm to 680 nm of less than 15%.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions (D) of a wax (W) dispersed in the aqueous phase by means of a dispersant (B), wherein in (D)the wax (W) is(A) an oxidized hydrocarbon wax or a mixture of oxidized hydrocarbon waxesor a mixture or (A) and at least one non-oxidized hydrocarbon wax (P), the acid number of which is.gtoreq.5,and the dispersant (B) isa non-ionogenic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactant or a mixture of two or more of these surfactants, which displays an HLB.gtoreq.7,and the dispersion (D) optionally contains at least one protective colloid (C), at least one agent (E) for pH-adjustment, at least one antifreeze agent (F) and/or at least one preserving agent (D), but is substantially free of other waxes than (A) and (P) and of other surfactants than (B) and (C),are eminently suitable as wet lubricants that are very stable to temperature modifications and to high electrolyte concentrations, especially as occurring in pretreatment and in dyeing of cellulosic substrates.

Abstract: Cationic dyes and protonated disperse and solvent dyes are solubilized by an excess (over molar equivalence) of an anionic surfactant to form dye baths and inks for paper. These materials are suitable for the dyeing and printing of cationic dye receptive materials inclusive of silk, wool, nylon, triacetate, vinyl, and cationic dye receptive acrylic, polyester, and polyolefins with water-fast cationic and disperse or solvent dyes. Baths of the solubilized solvent and disperse dyes may be partially neutralized and are suitable for dyeing polyester and other hydrophobic fibers thus eliminating the need for forming dispersions with disperse dyes.

Abstract: Modified rayon is produced by adding a modifier to a cellulose solution and spinning fibers from the solution, or by adding a modifier to an alkali cellulose solution or material, xanthating and spinning fibers by the viscose spinning process, wherein the modifier is an amine of the formula (1a), (1b), (1c), (1d) or (1e) ##STR1## The modified rayon produced in this way can be dyed with reactive dyes without addition of electrolyte salt or alkali and have significantly more affinity than conventional viscose fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to cationically bridged tetrakisazo compounds, corresponding to formula I, ##STR1## wherein the individual symbols are defined as in claim 1, as well as residues and liquid preparations thereof. The compounds and their preparations are used for dyeing and printing hydroxy-group-containing or nitrogen-containing organic substrates by a known method. Preferred substrates are textile materials which consist of or contain cellulose, especially cotton, or also bast fibres, leather and preferably paper or paper pulp products, especially wood-containing paper.

Abstract: Process for dyeing regenerated cellulose fibers, which comprises adding an amine-substituted cellulose derivative to a viscose dope or to an alkali cellulose and spinning fibers by the viscose spinning process, or adding said cellulose derivative to a cellulose solution and spinning fibers from the solution, processing fibers into a woven or knitted fabric and dyeing the fabric with a direct or acid dye in the absence of additional electrolyte salt.

Abstract: Modified cellulose fiber is produced by adding a modifier to a cellulose solution and spinning fibers from the solution, or by adding a modifier to a viscose solution and spinning fibers by the viscose spinning process, said modifier being a polymeric amine compound having pendant primary, secondary or tertiary amino groups and having a molecular mass of more than 1000.

Abstract: Vat dyes obtainable bya) halogenation of dibenzanthrone with bromine in the presence of chlorosulfonic acid and of a halogenation catalyst to a bromine content from 26 to 32% by weight and a chlorine content from 1 to 5% by weight, andb) condensation of the isolated halogenation product with 1-aminoanthraquinone in a molar ratio from 1:2 to 1:2.5 in the presence of an inert solvent, the concentration of halogenated dibenzanthrone and 1-aminoanthraquinone together being at least 200 g/l of solventare useful for dyeing or printing cellulose-containing textile material.

Abstract: Process and use of reactive disperse dyes for dyeing and printing aminated, textile cotton and cotton-polyester blend fabricsHydroxyl-containing materials, in particular fiber materials, such as cellulose fiber materials, which have been modified with an amino-containing compound are dyed as such or in blend with polyester fibers with the aid of a fiber-reactive disperse dye in an aqueous, low-electrolyte or completely electrolyte-free medium and in the absence of an alkaline or alkali-donating agent at a temperature of between 100.degree. and 210.degree. C. Not only the modified cellulose-containing material but also the polyester material can be dyed in one and the same dyeing process with one and the same fiber reactive disperse dye. A uniform overall dyeing not only for modified hydroxyl-containing material but also for polyester material is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay method for hemicellulases comprising a) directly dyeing, using a reactive dye, an insoluble natural product, or a modified form of a natural fibre material; and b) adding the enzyme to the dyed product produced in step a) and, after a specific incubation period, separating the liquid component from the insoluble dyed product, e.g. by a simple filtration, and determining the amount of dyestuff liberated in the the separated solution by spectrophotometric means. A combined mixing and dispensing device for use in the method of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: A method for deep dyeing of cellulose fibers comprising dyeing the fibers with one or more phthalocyanine reactive dyes in a liquor, containing more than 80 g/l salt at pH of 10 or more characterized in that dyeing is carried out at a temperature above 100.degree. C. (eg about 105.degree.-150.degree. C.).

Abstract: A process for treating a dyed, velvet fabric is disclosed wherein two-toned color effects between the pile and the fabric backing are achieved. The preferred fabric comprises a cellulosic (cotton or rayon) or synthetic fiber weave backing dyed preferably with a non-disperse dye, e.g. a direct dye, and pile composed of cellulose acetate fibers dyed with a disperse dye. The dyed fabric is contacted with a dilute caustic solution, e.g., sodium hydroxide, for a period of time sufficient to at least partially or totally hydrolyze the cellulose acetate of the pile fiber, which noticeably also reduces the color intensity of the pile while having little effect on the color intensity of the backing. This is followed by rinsing, neutralization and conditioning of the treated fabric.

Abstract: Improved dyeings or prints on cellulose, regenerated cellulose and/or mixtures of cellulose with natural or synthetic fiber materials using one or more reactive and/or direct dyes are obtained in the presence of a lithium compound.

Abstract: Pyrazole azo dyestuffs of the formula (I) ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 denotes hydrogen or an acyl radical,R.sup.2 denotes hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, aryl or a heterocyclic radical which is optionally bonded via alkylene,R.sup.3 denotes hydrogen, halogen, alkyl or alkoxy,R.sup.4 denotes hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, acylamino, acyloxy or alkoxycarbonyl,R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 independently of one another in each case denote hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl or aryl orNR.sup.5 R.sup.6 together denotes a hydrogenated heterocyclic radical which is bonded via the nitrogen and optionally contains further hetero atoms,it being possible for all the alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, aryl, alkoxy and heterocyclic radicals present to be optionally substituted by nonionic substituents, a novel process for their preparation and their use for dyeing and printing materials.

Abstract: A kit includes, in a preferred embodiment, untreated, undyed woven velvet-covered shoes, handbags, belts or costume accessories are supplied with an applicator holding a measured mount of a dye plus a finishing solution and a fixer. The velvet is made substantially of cellulosic yarns and the dye is cellulose specific. The finishing solution and fixer are applied, if a sheen is desired, then the dye is applied by brushing the item with the applicator tip until the dye has saturated the item and is used up. The item is allowed to stand at room temperature for at least 24 hours for the dye to set. Bleaching the dye from the item with a reducing agent prepares it for re-dyeing.

Abstract: An improved mordant solution and process for preparing fibers for dyeing and fixing natural dyes to fibers, particularly but not exclusively cellulose fibers, including cotton and linen, and synthetic fibers, including Rayon.RTM. and Tensel.TM.. The improved natural mordant solution comprises an aqueous solution of alum KAl(SO.sub.4) and soda ash Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3, most preferably an aqueous colloidal suspension of aluminum hydroxide. This mordant solution significantly improves the recognized measurable qualities of naturally dyed fibers, including light and washfastness, without using polluting heavy metal mordants. The improved mordant treatment and natural dye process includes first pretreating the fabric with an aqueous mordant wash, which increases the dye uptake in the dye bath, then treating the fabric with a second aqueous mordant wash, following dyeing, then preferably treating the dyed fabric with a final tannin wash, permanently setting the natural dye in the fibers or fabric.