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PurposeThe 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.Design/methodology/approachDye 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.FindingsThe 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.Research limitations/implicationsThe 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.Practical implicationsThe 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.Originality/valueThe 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.

In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore the potential of natural colourants and its application in the textile industry. Natural colorants extracted from the sepals of Mussaenda hybrid, fruits of Carissa carandas and Syzygium cumini were applied on cotton, silk and polyester yarns accompanied with mordants (Alum, Acetic acid, Copper sulphate and Lemon juice) and without mordant, using an aqueous method. UV-Vis spectra of different natural dyes were determined. Percent absorption, colour co-ordinates values (CIELab), colour strength (K/S) values and fastness properties of the selected dyed yarns were tested.Different shades of yellow, pink and purple were obtained from the aqueous extracts of Mussaenda hybrid, Carissa carandas and Syzygium cumini. K/S values were enhanced with the addition of mordants. Fastness results of the selected dyed yarns showed good grades.The present study demonstrated that the above plants could be a promising source of natural colourants.