Sulfur dye

Sulfur dyes are the biggest volume dyes manufactured for cotton. They are cheap, generally have good wash-fastness and are easy to apply. The dyes are absorbed by cotton from a bath containing sulfide and are insolubilised within the fibre by oxidation. During this process the dyes form complex larger molecules which is the basis of their good wash-fastness. These dyes produce robust dyeings that have all round fastness except to chlorine. Due to the high polluting nature of the let out dye-baths, slowly sulfur dyes are being phased out. Sulfur dyes are primarily used for dark colors such as blacks, browns, and dark blues. The deep indigo blues of denim blue jeans are a product of sulfur dyes.

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Recent advances in dyeing technologies have allowed the substitution of toxic sulfide reducing agents. Glucose is now used and both low sulfide and zero sulfide products are available.