Formulation of an Organic Solution for Odour Removal in Rubber-Gum Resist Technique

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to produce an innovative organic solution that can eliminate the
unpleasant smell deposited in fabric during the degumming process. The rubber-gum resist
technique is a modern fabric colouration technique in the world of resisting fabric dyeing production.
This innovative technique is an improvement upon the wax-resist method which makes use of
polyvinyl acetate, latex and ammonia as constituents of its resist agent. A series of explorations were
conducted using organic fruit juices for the formulation of the solution that can remove the
unpleasant smell from the dyed product as a result of the use of turpentine in the degumming
process. The findings of the explorations conducted have proven that the major challenge in the
rubber-gum resist technique, which happens to be the unpleasant smell deposited in the fabric due to
the degumming process, has been resolved using organic fruit juices. For the rubber-gum resist
technique to live in the limelight, it is recommended that the results of this study should be
incorporated into the practice of the rubber-gum resist technique. The introduction of resist fabricdyeing art educational curriculum should make it a point to include the rubber-gum resist technique
at the senior high schools through to the tertiary level to promote the practice of this innovative art
discipline. Fusing this innovative technique into our textile educational system will help students to
explore and gain much knowledge in the practice of the rubber gum resist technique and will also
serve as a source of employment.