Methods for making synthetic hair from plant fiber

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods for making synthetic hair compositions. The methods generally comprise providing a plant fiber, degumming the plant fiber, and dyeing the plant fiber. The present disclosure also provides methods of degumming banana fiber. The methods generally comprise providing banana fiber and soaking the banana fiber in a degumming solution comprising a base, magnesium sulfate, and hydrogen peroxide. The present disclosure further provides methods of dyeing banana fibers. The present disclosure further provides synthetic hair compositions comprising banana fibers made by the methods described herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for making synthetic hair from plant fiber, the method comprising:
 providing a plant fiber;   degumming the plant fiber;   conditioning and sealing the plant fiber after degumming the plant fiber; and   dyeing the plant fiber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant fiber is banana fiber. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the degumming comprises soaking the plant fiber in an alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution comprises a base, magnesium sulfate, and hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising soaking the banana fiber in an alkaline pre-soak solution prior to degumming the banana fiber. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the alkaline pre-soak solution comprises water and a strong base. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the alkaline pre-soak solution further comprises an enzyme. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a hair oil to the dyed banana fiber. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising soaking the plant fiber in an acid solution prior to degumming the plant fiber. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dyeing is accomplished with a dye solution comprising dye, a salt, and soda ash. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conditioning comprises soaking the dyed plant fiber in a conditioning solution. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the conditioning further comprises massaging the banana fiber in the conditioning solution. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing comprises soaking the dyed banana fiber in a sealing solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rinsing and scouring the plant fiber after dyeing the plant fiber. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detangling, combing, and/or braiding the banana fiber after dyeing the banana fiber. 
     
     
         16 . A method of dyeing banana fiber, the method comprising soaking the banana fiber in a dye solution comprising:
 a dye;   non-iodized salt; and   soda ash; and   conditioning and sealing the banana fiber after dyeing the banana fiber.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the dye comprises a natural dye. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the conditioning comprises soaking the dyed plant fiber in a conditioning solution. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the conditioning further comprises massaging the banana fiber in the conditioning solution. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the sealing comprises soaking the dyed banana fiber in a sealing solution.