Question

What are dyes?

Answer 1

Dyes: Dyes are the chemical substances that impart their colour to an article and are soluble in water.

Dyes can be natural or synthetic

• Natural dyes: When the dye is obtained from the plants, it is called as a natural dye. Examples: Dyes obtained from beetroot, flowers etc.
• Synthetic dyes: When the dye is man-made using certain chemicals called coloured pigments, it is called as a synthetic dye. Example: Alizarin red, Indigo blue.

Some of the most common uses of dyes are as follows:

1. Colouring of clothes and hair. Synthetic dyes are preferred for this.
2. Polishing of leather shoes and purses.
3. Manufacturing of cosmetics like lipsticks which need colouring substances.
4. Making paints.