What is Synthrpol?????????????

I almost never prewash, but it's because of the environment. Just the thought of all of that water makes me sick, particularly if I were to wash fabric as I brought it home, as I know some people do, with almost empty loads! If I really suspect a fabric will be a problem, I will pre-wash, but otherwise, I leave it alone. I like the crinkly look anyway.

What a waste of time. QS quality fabrics shrink very little. IMHO it seems a waste of money to wash and then buy starch to stiffen again. Have quilted since the 80's and never had a problem. Of course I never ever wash anything in hot water either. As for swaps that require washing. I sew them and then wash before I ship or don't get involved.

"Synthrapol is a textile detergent. It removes unseen grease and oils used in the manufacturing process from silk and cotton. It keeps excess dye in suspension and helps prevent back staining of light colored areas." This comes from the bottle of Synthrapol SP that I have from Dharma Trading Co.

Thanks! Does this come under any other name? Can you not get it locally and where would I look for it?

I am a hand dyer and Synthrapol is great to wash with if you have any doubt about a fabric. I use it to wash any hand dye or batik that I buy. Just remember a little (1 tsp per load) goes a LONG way. Shrinkage is a great topic, but not washing also runs a risk of the color running. Also, the sizing applied to all commercial fabrics will dull your rotary cutter blade if it is not washed off first. Just a side note too: when you do pre-wash, when you dry, don't use dryer sheets - same as sizing...dulls rotary blades.

I just don't like the feel of washed fabrics.

My reason to pre-wash is my fear of bleeding colors. Last year I made a quilt and I forgot to pre-wash a Debbie Mumm dark red fabric. Believe it or not, those pieces of fabric bled and ruined my quilt... :-(

Red is one of the worse to stabilize .... even with pre-washing several times. Then just when you think you have the colours set ... then more appears!! UGH!!!

Well, now I AM confused. Hummmm.