Is Dawn detergent as good as synthrapol?
#31
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Newark, Ohio
Posts: 139
#34
MacThayer, I think your test run confirms information on the web. However, I want to clarify that neither Synthrapol nor Dawn will set dyes. All they do is suspend unset dye particles in water so they are rinsed away instead of settling into fabric fibers.
Most fabric that "bleeds" has had dyes correctly set by the manufacturer but have not been rinsed sufficiently. Fibers can absorb only a limited amount of dye particles. Excess dye particles that are not rinsed away by the manufacturer end up in color catchers (such as those in your test run). Most of these excess dye particles come out in the first wash, and subsequent washes have color catchers that come out pretty clean.
When the manufacturer does not actually set the dye properly, the end result is a "bleeder" fabric that never stops bleeding. It's not just a problem of excess dye particles (more dye particles than the fibers can absorb) not being
rinsed away; it's a problem of all dye particles not being permanently set into the fibers. Synthrapol and Dawn will prevent these loose dye particles from settling into other fabrics, but they will not stop the fabric from bleeding in future washes.
Hope this explanation is clearer than mud!
Most fabric that "bleeds" has had dyes correctly set by the manufacturer but have not been rinsed sufficiently. Fibers can absorb only a limited amount of dye particles. Excess dye particles that are not rinsed away by the manufacturer end up in color catchers (such as those in your test run). Most of these excess dye particles come out in the first wash, and subsequent washes have color catchers that come out pretty clean.
When the manufacturer does not actually set the dye properly, the end result is a "bleeder" fabric that never stops bleeding. It's not just a problem of excess dye particles (more dye particles than the fibers can absorb) not being
rinsed away; it's a problem of all dye particles not being permanently set into the fibers. Synthrapol and Dawn will prevent these loose dye particles from settling into other fabrics, but they will not stop the fabric from bleeding in future washes.
Hope this explanation is clearer than mud!
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NW IL
Posts: 493
#37
I don't know about using Dawn or even Ivory dish washing detergents for washing fabrics-especially quilts. Or even the most favorite stated preference here, Synthrapol. I always use the Arm and Hammer laundry products for all my regular and fine laundry wash. Including the quilts. Especially considering the rather harsh hard mineral deposit water that is locally available where I live. They work and work well all things considering. Plus these products are very affordable. I believe that the "secret" ingredient is baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) that I use liberally. I buy a box of "baking soda" just for rinse cycles ending in the final rinse as well as an extra one for the wash cycle if extra dirty. Your grandma's quilts were washed with this product, why not your own as well?
Sensitive Skin-Perfume & Dye Free
http://www.armandhammer.com/fabric-c...-dye-free.aspx
Delicare:
http://www.armandhammer.com/fabric-care/fine-fabric-wash/Products/delicare-fine-fabric-wash.aspx
Sensitive Skin-Perfume & Dye Free
http://www.armandhammer.com/fabric-c...-dye-free.aspx
Delicare:
http://www.armandhammer.com/fabric-care/fine-fabric-wash/Products/delicare-fine-fabric-wash.aspx
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kenai, Alaska
Posts: 1,150
I stopped using Woolite years ago when it contained bleach. I haven't checked it lately to see if that has changed. I also have a front load washer and I don't use HE detergents.
#40
To gather up loose dye I use Shout Color Catchers. The label says it is a propriatery recipe. In other words they are not telling you what is in it, but that worked for me in my situation. Shout Color Catchers are like little dryer sheets for static cling. Throw them away after one use. They will be all sorts of colors.
Marcia
Marcia
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