Have you noticed that your cotton towel has lightened in color after using/washing? If so, your towels are not dyed by indanthrane process.
There are two types of dyeing processes that can be used to dye a towel. Vat(Indanthrane) dyed or Reactive dyed.
Vat Dye is a water-insoluble dye, usually containing keto groups which is normally applied to the fiber from an alkaline aqueous solution of the reduced enol (leuco) form, and which is subsequently oxidized in the fiber to the insoluble form making it the most long-lasting dye. While these colors do not tend to be as bright as colors using the reactive dye process, they are color-fast, do not bleed, and retain the color much longer than the reactive dye process. The VAT dye process is typically more expensive, but provides a color that withstands harsh chemicals such as chlorine and chemicals used in pools and the industrial laundering process.
ı will summarise the vat-dyed cotton towels` pros and cons as below.
Pros
* Washable at 90 degrees; That allows hotels to use colored cotton towels.
* The colors withstand from harsh chemicals and chlorine even after more no of washes. That`s why it is suitable for pool, spa and salon hair towel.
* Insoluble in water; So we the fastness property is good.
* Vat dyes work on Cotton, Wool and also other natural fibers.
*They are color-fast, do not bleed, and retain the color much longer than the reactive dye process
* The colors are not fade more quickly.
Cons
* VAT dye process is more expensive than reactive dyes. But keep in mind we can use these towels longer than reactive dyed towels so we can save also in this way.
* A vat dyes towel color does not be bright as colors in the reactive dye process
Where are Vat-Dyed Towels used?
Hair and Beauty Salons because they use many chemicals to remove make-ups
Pool Areas: there is chlorine in the pools so they have to use chlorine resistant pool beach towel.
Hotels: for colored towels, or weft colored towels with hotel bordure.
Spa centers for colored towels and they have to wash at 90 degrees all towels.
