Have you ever wondered how we dye our clothes? Let's ask a scientist!
Special | 52sVideo has Closed Captions
Join Dr. Tova Williams as we learn all about dying clothes at NCSU Wilson College of Textiles.
NCSU Wilson College of Textiles professor Dr. Tova Williams teaches us about clothing dyes and surfactants in this Rootle Community Highlight! Funding for Rootle Community Highlights is made possible by the PNC Foundation.
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rootle is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
You are truly the public in public television and we need your support now more than ever.
Have you ever wondered how we dye our clothes? Let's ask a scientist!
Special | 52sVideo has Closed Captions
NCSU Wilson College of Textiles professor Dr. Tova Williams teaches us about clothing dyes and surfactants in this Rootle Community Highlight! Funding for Rootle Community Highlights is made possible by the PNC Foundation.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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- We live in a beautiful, colorful world.
From reds and blues to yellow and green hues, there are so many colors to choose from.
Have you ever wondered, how do those colors get on our clothes?
Let's ask an expert.
Dr.
Tova, how do you dye clothes?
- Now that is a big question.
In fabric dyeing, we use special surfactants to help the color spread evenly.
Surfactants break down the surface tension of water, allowing dyes and other chemicals to spread out and cover the fabric.
Come on, let me show you.
See how this dye spreads out on the fabric, treated with the surfactant?
And look here, this fabric wasn't treated with the surfactant.
See how the dye just stays in one spot?
Without surfactants, the color would just sit on top of the textile fabric instead of soaking in.
♪
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rootle is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
You are truly the public in public television and we need your support now more than ever.