Reactive dyes are cationic dyes, widely used for dyeing cellulose, protein and polyamide fibres. In past days, cellulose fibres were dyed with Direct or Vat dyes. However, later with the introduction of reactive dyes Direct and Vat dyes were substituted with Reactive dyes.
The advantages of Reactive dyes over Vat Dyes are as follows:
One stage simple dyeing method
Low temperature dyeing at less than 1000C
Less expensive