Reverse Dyeing using Disperse and Fiber Reactive Dyes

[6] According to Smith and Rucker ([26]), one water conservation strategy when dyeing polyester/cotton blended fabrics is reverse dyeing using disperse and fibre reactive dyes. In normal dyeing, the steps are: (1) prepare fabric; (2) dye polyester using disperse dyes; (3) wash or reductive after clear; (4) dye cotton, fiber reactive dyes are applied; (5) wash. In the reverse dyeing process, the fiber reactive is dyed first (on cotton), then the slightly acidic disperse dyebath serves as an afterwash for the fiber reactive. The dyeing process then becomes: (1) prepare fabric; (2) dye cotton; (3) dye polyester (and wash cotton); (4) wash or after clear.