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The paper aims to investigate the feasibility of developing natural dyes from the barks of Araucaria columnaris and leaves of Macaranga peltata, Averrhoa bilimbi. The paper also deals with the application of natural dyes in textile coloration.

Dye extraction was carried out using the aqueous method. The dyeability of the aqueous extract was assessed on cotton, silk and polyester yarns using different mordants (alum, acetic acid, CuSO₄, lemon juice) and without mordant. UV–Visible spectral analysis and pH of different natural dyes were determined. Percent absorption, K/S values, CIELab values and fastness properties of the selected dyed yarns were also assessed.

The percentage values for dye exhaustion differed with various mordants. The K/S values were found to be influenced by the addition of mordants. Different hues were obtained with the usage of different mordants. Fastness results exhibited good to very good grades.

The effective application of aqueous method of dye extraction in the study avoids solvent toxicity. The current results proved that the dyeing could be achieved at room temperature for different yarns (cotton, silk, polyester). At present, no report exists in the literature of research work on the extraction of natural dyes from the leaves of M. peltata, A. bilimbi and their dyeing potential on cotton, silk and polyester.

The present work offers new environment-friendly dye as well as simple dyeing method. Barks and leaves are promising sources of dye. Enormous availability of barks and leaves avoids the exploitation of the plant parts for the extraction of natural dyes.

The important feature of this study was the effective dyeing of natural and synthetic fibers at room temperature. The novel sources of natural dyes would contribute significantly to the existing knowledge of dyeing, and the natural dyes reduce the environmental impact of synthetic dyes.