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Acid dyes are water soluble anionic dyes that are applied to fibres such as silk, wool, nylon and modified acrylic fibres from neutral to acid dye baths. Attachment to the fibre is attributed, at least partly, to salt formation between anionic groups in the dyes and cationic groups in the fibre. Acid dyes are not substantive to cellulosic fibres. Acid dyes are used both commercially and by the studio dyer to dye protein/animal fibers such as wool, silk, mohair, angora, alpaca and some nylons and synthetics. Acid dyes require the use of an acid such as vinegar, acetic or sulphuric acid to se the colour.
Acid dyes sound scary to some novices, who imagine that the dyes themselves are austic strong acids. In fact, the dyes are non-caustic strong acids. In fact, the dyes are non-caustic, are in many cases non-toxic, and are named for the mild acid (such as vinegar) used in the dyeing process, and for the types of bonds they form to the fibre. Some of them are significantly more toxic than fiber reactive dyes, while others are even safe enough to eat, and are sold as food coloring.
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