The effect of several detergents in soaping and washing of dyed materials with a vat dye was investigated. Experiments on the fastness to rubbing and to washing were carried out to estimate the effect of detergents.
Soaping by water, soap from cow fat and coconut oil and commercial synthetic detergent for wool was effective on the fastness to rubbing but the effect of these detergents was similar to that of water alone.
The fastness to washing of dyed materials improved greatly with soaping by soap and commercial non-ionic detergent.
It was found that soap was the most effective on both fastness. Moreover, it was foundthat commercial synthetic detergent for wool was very hard to soil the white cotton and polyester fabric when washing dyed materials.