I use Color Catchers all the time. I usually put in 3-4 of them. I also give printed washing instructions attached to a box of Color Catchers when I gift a quilt.

Once the color catchers come out clear you should be safe and have no more bleeding. I use them all the time with great success. When color catches first came out they were cloth and could be used many times over and were always successful.

I've had good luck using color catchers. Usually two at a time the first time around, and when I give one away I tell the recipient to use one, too, until it "stops catching" color.

I love color catchers! I usually use three to four the first wash. If I am keeping it I will throw in two each time I wash, if I am gifting it I will include a baggie with five or six and instructions.

Recently in a quilt class we were discussing prewashing fabrics to prevent bleeding and several of us said we use color catchers for our quilts and washing more than once and with more than one color catcher in cold water. We all thought we were doing good and then the instructor mentioned that not everyone's water is the same chemical makeup as ours and it would still be possible for no bleeding to show during our wash but could bleed when washed by the recipient. What a horrible thought that the quilt could be ruined after we thought it was good. I will now test yardage for bleeding and use Retayne if needed. I will be crossing my fingers on any of my precuts I have in my stash.

My mom taught me to set the colors in cold vinegar water.

For large quilts I toss in 4 or 5 sheets and use cold water. I have not had a problem (knock on wood).

I wash my quilts in cold water using 2 color catchers. Have never had bleeding occur.

This does not work with today's modern dyes.

Retayne is used to set the dye before the quilt is assembled; Synthropol can be used after the quilt is finished to prevent bleeding. I've also used Synthrpol to successfully remove a scortched spot on a block before it was assembled (washed by hand). Can't imagine that Color Catchers would help also -- although they can sometimes be hard to find.

Linda in MO