Standardization and utilization of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) roots for the dyeing of silk fabric

The nature is abode to numerous plants, animal and mineral resources that offersustainable alternative to chemicalsused in textile dyeing. In this paper an effort has been made to utilize the roots of Himalayan  nettle plant for fabric dyeing which grows abundantly in-the higher altitude of Uttarakhand as a weed plant. The extraction and dyeing variables were optimized for application on silk fabric on the basis of colour strength and wash fastness rating. Dye extraction carried out in aqueous medium at simmering temperature for 1.5 hoursresulted in better colour depth and washing fastness. Similarly, dyeing of silk at 90oC for 90 minutes using 3 gm per 100 ml powdered dye material yielded better dyed samples in terms of colour strength and wash fastness. The obtained dye recipe is easy to be used by dyeing units at minimal cost since no chemicals are added during dyeing and raw material can be collected from pastures, around croplands and nearby forest areas.