I'm nervous about washing this deep red fabric again--now it's a quilt back.
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,688
It bled more than any fabric I've ever washed. I washed it twice and added three rinses and there was still a hint of tinge to the water. (I agitate by hand but use the machine.) I added white vinegar to two of the rinses and dried the fabric in the dryer.
Now the deep red fabric is a quilt back--and there's a bright yellow binding... and lots of white with blacks in the top... and I need to wash it before giving it as a gift (basting spray used).
So... do you think if I add some vinegar to the wash water, and use two color wash sheets, it'll be fine? Did drying it set the color more?
I have time to read replies because I need to sew the binding on by hand...
Now the deep red fabric is a quilt back--and there's a bright yellow binding... and lots of white with blacks in the top... and I need to wash it before giving it as a gift (basting spray used).
So... do you think if I add some vinegar to the wash water, and use two color wash sheets, it'll be fine? Did drying it set the color more?
I have time to read replies because I need to sew the binding on by hand...
#2
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
Do you have any scraps of it and the other fabrics left?
If yes, put them all together in a jar - add some detergent and water to it - shake and let set for awhile -
Come back in an hour or so - and see what happens.
Some fabrics seem to be resistant to picking up stray dye molecules. Others seem to be magnets.
If the colors seem okay after setting for a while, you are good to go.
If not okay - do what the experts suggest.
As far as that goes - if you did not wash the black and whites or other fabrics - some of them may also have issues.
I think it's Synthrapol that's suggested to pick up stray dye.
If yes, put them all together in a jar - add some detergent and water to it - shake and let set for awhile -
Come back in an hour or so - and see what happens.
Some fabrics seem to be resistant to picking up stray dye molecules. Others seem to be magnets.
If the colors seem okay after setting for a while, you are good to go.
If not okay - do what the experts suggest.
As far as that goes - if you did not wash the black and whites or other fabrics - some of them may also have issues.
I think it's Synthrapol that's suggested to pick up stray dye.
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,688
I'll probably use two color catcher sheets!! :wink
Four fabrics for the quilt are soaking in detergent now... the red, the yellow, a white, and a green.... and the clock ticks. I get dishes done while I wait...
Four fabrics for the quilt are soaking in detergent now... the red, the yellow, a white, and a green.... and the clock ticks. I get dishes done while I wait...
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
vinegar is not doing anything to remedy your problem- vinegar only sets acid dyes- which are not used on cottons---so no point in wasting more vinegar.
synthropol in the water will keep dye in the water from getting on other fabrics-
color catchers also help collect the dye in the water
it is important to remove it right away- don't let it sit wet touching itself-
you can usually find synthropol in quilt shops or stores such as joannes- or hobby lobby.
synthropol in the water will keep dye in the water from getting on other fabrics-
color catchers also help collect the dye in the water
it is important to remove it right away- don't let it sit wet touching itself-
you can usually find synthropol in quilt shops or stores such as joannes- or hobby lobby.
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
I agree with washing it with Synthrapol and lots of color catchers. This combo should catch any remaining loose dye particles so they can't settle into other fabrics.
Next time wash a bleeder fabric like that in Retayne! Retayne permanently sets color. A few fabrics need 2 washings in Retayne. You never want to use Retayne on a finished quilt such as yours, though, as it will permanently set any unwanted bleeds into other fabrics. At this point your best choice is Synthrapol and *lots* of color catchers (I'd probably use an entire box!).
Next time wash a bleeder fabric like that in Retayne! Retayne permanently sets color. A few fabrics need 2 washings in Retayne. You never want to use Retayne on a finished quilt such as yours, though, as it will permanently set any unwanted bleeds into other fabrics. At this point your best choice is Synthrapol and *lots* of color catchers (I'd probably use an entire box!).
#9
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
Originally Posted by Prism99
I agree with washing it with Synthrapol and lots of color catchers. This combo should catch any remaining loose dye particles so they can't settle into other fabrics.
Next time wash a bleeder fabric like that in Retayne! Retayne permanently sets color. A few fabrics need 2 washings in Retayne. You never want to use Retayne on a finished quilt such as yours, though, as it will permanently set any unwanted bleeds into other fabrics. At this point your best choice is Synthrapol and *lots* of color catchers (I'd probably use an entire box!).
Next time wash a bleeder fabric like that in Retayne! Retayne permanently sets color. A few fabrics need 2 washings in Retayne. You never want to use Retayne on a finished quilt such as yours, though, as it will permanently set any unwanted bleeds into other fabrics. At this point your best choice is Synthrapol and *lots* of color catchers (I'd probably use an entire box!).
Vinegar is not effective on cotton fabrics, the only benifit is the actual prewashing , you would have the same results if you had not added vinegar.
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,688
Originally Posted by ckcowl
vinegar is not doing anything to remedy your problem- vinegar only sets acid dyes- which are not used on cottons---so no point in wasting more vinegar.
synthropol in the water will keep dye in the water from getting on other fabrics-
color catchers also help collect the dye in the water
it is important to remove it right away- don't let it sit wet touching itself-
you can usually find synthropol in quilt shops or stores such as joannes- or hobby lobby.
synthropol in the water will keep dye in the water from getting on other fabrics-
color catchers also help collect the dye in the water
it is important to remove it right away- don't let it sit wet touching itself-
you can usually find synthropol in quilt shops or stores such as joannes- or hobby lobby.
Thanks for the info on the other products, too!
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