Bleaching process for increasing whiteness and lightfastness of kenaf and kenaf-jute blended fabrics

A chemical process with (a) calcium hypochlorite and (b) hydrogen peroxide is described for bleaching of 100% kenaf fabrics as well as kenaf-jute (60: 40) blended fabrics. Some physico-chemical properties of the fabrics proces sed with this method were determined and compared with those of their mothe r fabrics to indicate improvement induced by the process. The process was f ound to increase whiteness and lightfastness of both experimental fabrics. The loss of strength properties was minor in comparison to the accompanying advantages. The blended fabrics contain higher percentage of alpha-cellulo se (i.e. fibrous constituent) than the hemicellulose and lignin contents (i .e. non-fibrous constituents). The process was industrially experimented an d found practicable; therefore, it has commercial significance for the prod uction of value added and diversified products from kenaf fabrics and their blends with jute fabrics.