Fastness and antibacterial properties of polypropylene surgical face masks dyed with coffee grounds

Abstract

The Covid-19 epidemic has affected all aspect of daily life, from health and education, to even the way we shop. In the light of the epidemic, one decision has been to require surgical face masks in all public areas, including hospitals, schools, shopping centers and even in the street. Most consumers have chosen to wear colored surgical face masks to match their clothes. However, these colored surgical face masks have been dyed using synthetic dyestuff. This dyestuff contains toxic mutagenic, allergic and carcinogenic substances. This study aims to dye surgical facemask using natural colorants to investigate color fastness to perspiration, changes of color for each dyeing process (CIELAB) and the antibacterial activity of surgical face masks dyed using coffee grounds. During the dyeing process, three different types of mordant were used. The control sample was dyed using coffee grounds, without the use of mordant. Results found that coffee grounds can serve as a potential source of natural dye for coloring textile materials. Nonwoven samples showed good levels of fastness and antibacterial activity.

Keywords:

• Natural dyeing
• coffee grounds
• face mask
• color fastness
• sustainable resources

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.