THE WASH-OFF OF REACTIVE DYES ON CELLULOSIC FIBERS .4. THE USE OF DIFFERENT ALKALIS WITH MONOCHLOROTRIAZINYL DYES ON COTTON

One monochlorotriazinyl and two bis-monochlorotriazinyl dyes were appl ied to cotton fabric and the dyeings then washed-off using aqueous sol utions of ammonium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or five buffer systems, The effects of varying the a mount of each alkali used on both the extent of dye removal and the wa sh fastness of the dyeings were determined. It was found that potassiu m hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate were more effective than the two ot her alkalis used and also, that the buffer systems were less effective than the alkalis in removing dye. The level of wash-fastness achieved was generally independent of the wash-off method used. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science Ltd.