Oat Milk – 14-1208 TCX

Dye: Pomegranate rind + Alum mordant

Color: Soft beige achieved on cotton or silk

Color Fastness: Good wash and light fastness on all fibers with proper mordanting

A. Cotton Dyeing Procedure (Oat Milk)

Step 1: Mordanting

• Material: 100 g cotton
• Mordant: Alum 8% owf (8 g)
• Water: 2 L (M:L 1:20)
• pH: Neutral (~6-7)
• Temperature: 55°C
• Time: 45 minutes

Process:

1. Mordant cotton in alum bath at 55°C for 45 minutes with gentle stirring.
2. Remove fabric, rinse lightly with water to remove excess mordant.

Reason: Alum mordant creates a good bond between pomegranate tannins and cotton fiber, improving dye uptake and fastness.

Step 2: Dye Extraction & Dyeing

• Dye: Pomegranate rind powder 15% owf (15 g)
• Water: 2 L
• Temperature: 85°C (simmer)
• Time: 60 minutes
• pH: Slightly acidic (~5.5-6)

Process:

1. Simmer pomegranate rind powder in water for 45 minutes to extract tannins and yellow pigments.
2. Strain the bath to remove solids, cool to 80-85°C.
3. Immerse mordanted cotton, dye for 60 minutes. Stir occasionally.
4. Remove fabric, rinse in cold water, dry in shade.

B. Silk Dyeing Procedure (Oat Milk)

Step 1: Mordanting

• Material: 100 g silk
• Mordant: Alum 6% owf (6 g)
• Water: 2 L
• Temperature: 50°C
• Time: 30 minutes

Process:

1. Mordant silk in alum bath at 50°C for 30 minutes.
2. Remove, rinse lightly.

Step 2: Dyeing

• Dye: Pomegranate rind powder 12% owf (12 g)
• Water: 2 L
• Temperature: 70°C
• Time: 45-60 minutes
• pH: Slightly acidic (~5.5-6)

Process:

1. Extract dye by simmering pomegranate rind 45 min.
2. Cool bath to 70°C, dye silk for 45-60 minutes.
3. Rinse cold, dry in shade.

C. Wool Dyeing Procedure (Oat Milk)

Step 1: Mordanting

• Material: 100 g wool
• Mordant: Alum 6% owf (6 g)
• Water: 2 L
• Temperature: 50°C
• Time: 30 minutes

Process:

1. Mordant wool in alum bath for 30 min at 50°C.
2. Remove, rinse lightly.

Step 2: Dyeing

• Dye: Pomegranate rind powder 12% owf (12 g)
• Water: 2 L
• Temperature: 65°C
• Time: 60 minutes
• pH: Slightly acidic (~5.5-6)

Process:

1. Extract dye as above.
2. Dye wool at 65°C for 60 minutes.
3. Rinse cold, dry flat in shade.

Explanation & Reasoning:

• Pomegranate rind is rich in tannins, giving soft beige to yellow hues depending on mordant.
• Alum mordant is a good choice for light colors and enhances dye binding.
• Slight acidity (pH 5.5-6) helps better dye uptake and colorfastness.
• Temperature and timing are optimized to avoid fiber damage and ensure good penetration.
• Silk and wool dyed at lower temp than cotton due to delicate fibers.