Prewashing batiks with Retayne in smaller batches?
08-04-2011, 10:33 AM
#1
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Someone on the board was kind enough to send me an extra bottle of Retayne and Shout Color Catchers. I've been soaking my fabric in hot water...someone mentioned they found some batiks didn't bleed until the second washing because the wax resist didn't come off until the second washing so I want to get any leftover wax resist.
I'm almost all done pre-soaking so I'll be ready to use the Retayne soon. I'm wondering about throwing all the fabrics into one batch (was going to do them by hand rather than machine). I have various different greens, anything from olive to bright green. Some hardly bled while some bled like a slaughtered hog. I have just fat quarters and quarter yards so I'm thinking maybe I could do them one at a time and using 1 tsp. of the Retayne (it says a TBSP for every yard). Would that even work?
I'm almost all done pre-soaking so I'll be ready to use the Retayne soon. I'm wondering about throwing all the fabrics into one batch (was going to do them by hand rather than machine). I have various different greens, anything from olive to bright green. Some hardly bled while some bled like a slaughtered hog. I have just fat quarters and quarter yards so I'm thinking maybe I could do them one at a time and using 1 tsp. of the Retayne (it says a TBSP for every yard). Would that even work?
08-04-2011, 10:46 AM
#2
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I suggest washing your batiks with laundry soap and very warm water and rinsing them several times first. Removing as much of the wax as possible. Use the same type of detergent you will use to wash the finished quilt.
I do not use an abundance of this solution when I treat my batiks. I mix up a good amount per instructions, and then thoroughly wet the fabric with it, place it in plastic bags for the time specified, then rinse well and dry.
I have found you don't need the water over the top of the fabric, or a bit of fabric in a pool of the solution LOL
As long as the fabric is thoroughly wet with the solution, the Retayne will do it's job :D:D:D
If you use a lot of batiks or other fabrics that tend to bleed, it doesn't take long to go through a bottle. I like to be thrifty, and using according to the label is pretty wasteful, not to mention using/disposing of more chemical than necessary (thinking green) :D:D:D
I do not use an abundance of this solution when I treat my batiks. I mix up a good amount per instructions, and then thoroughly wet the fabric with it, place it in plastic bags for the time specified, then rinse well and dry.
I have found you don't need the water over the top of the fabric, or a bit of fabric in a pool of the solution LOL
As long as the fabric is thoroughly wet with the solution, the Retayne will do it's job :D:D:D
If you use a lot of batiks or other fabrics that tend to bleed, it doesn't take long to go through a bottle. I like to be thrifty, and using according to the label is pretty wasteful, not to mention using/disposing of more chemical than necessary (thinking green) :D:D:D
08-04-2011, 10:57 AM
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
The instructions for Retayne call for the water to be over 140 degrees to be effective. You only need enough water to cover the fabric... this creates a stronger solution ratio and is most effective. I do mine on the stove so I can maintain 140 degrees and use a small pot ( less water)
That being said the fabrics that you treat will shed dye in the process. I have done similiar colors and similiar value at the same time .... and had good results ie no transfer to the other fabrics. .... But Since there will be shedding of the unfixed dye... I would not do light and dark values in the same Retayne solution. It is surprising how much dye is shed at 140 degrees.
That being said the fabrics that you treat will shed dye in the process. I have done similiar colors and similiar value at the same time .... and had good results ie no transfer to the other fabrics. .... But Since there will be shedding of the unfixed dye... I would not do light and dark values in the same Retayne solution. It is surprising how much dye is shed at 140 degrees.
08-04-2011, 10:59 AM
#4
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Location: Wisconsin
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Originally Posted by amma
I suggest washing your batiks with laundry soap and very warm water and rinsing them several times first. Removing as much of the wax as possible. Use the same type of detergent you will use to wash the finished quilt.
I do not use an abundance of this solution when I treat my batiks. I mix up a good amount per instructions, and then thoroughly wet the fabric with it, place it in plastic bags for the time specified, then rinse well and dry.
I have found you don't need the water over the top of the fabric, or a bit of fabric in a pool of the solution LOL
As long as the fabric is thoroughly wet with the solution, the Retayne will do it's job :D:D:D
If you use a lot of batiks or other fabrics that tend to bleed, it doesn't take long to go through a bottle. I like to be thrifty, and using according to the label is pretty wasteful, not to mention using/disposing of more chemical than necessary (thinking green) :D:D:D
I do not use an abundance of this solution when I treat my batiks. I mix up a good amount per instructions, and then thoroughly wet the fabric with it, place it in plastic bags for the time specified, then rinse well and dry.
I have found you don't need the water over the top of the fabric, or a bit of fabric in a pool of the solution LOL
As long as the fabric is thoroughly wet with the solution, the Retayne will do it's job :D:D:D
If you use a lot of batiks or other fabrics that tend to bleed, it doesn't take long to go through a bottle. I like to be thrifty, and using according to the label is pretty wasteful, not to mention using/disposing of more chemical than necessary (thinking green) :D:D:D
What kind of plastic bags do you use? I mean the water has to be 140 degrees for the solution to work so I'd be worried that it would melt the bag.
08-04-2011, 07:06 PM
#5
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Wisconsin
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Originally Posted by Lori S
The instructions for Retayne call for the water to be over 140 degrees to be effective. You only need enough water to cover the fabric... this creates a stronger solution ratio and is most effective. I do mine on the stove so I can maintain 140 degrees and use a small pot ( less water)
That being said the fabrics that you treat will shed dye in the process. I have done similiar colors and similiar value at the same time .... and had good results ie no transfer to the other fabrics. .... But Since there will be shedding of the unfixed dye... I would not do light and dark values in the same Retayne solution. It is surprising how much dye is shed at 140 degrees.
That being said the fabrics that you treat will shed dye in the process. I have done similiar colors and similiar value at the same time .... and had good results ie no transfer to the other fabrics. .... But Since there will be shedding of the unfixed dye... I would not do light and dark values in the same Retayne solution. It is surprising how much dye is shed at 140 degrees.
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