NZquilter

I just washed (by hand) a known problem red fabric with Retayne. I followed the directions to a "T" and the water turned a bit pink. Should I re-try the Retayne treatment? Should the water be clear? Thanks!

feline fanatic

Test a swatch of the now treated fabric in cold water. Take a snippet and drop it in a white dish with cold water (as all fabrics treated with Retayne must be washed in cold water now) If it still bleeds I wouldn't use it. I don't think treating a 2nd time will make any difference.

sewingitalltogether

If I'm worried about a fabric possibly running, I add Dawn dish soap to a pot of really hot water on the stove. It will take out any remaining dye and set the color so it won't run. I don't know if this is an actual technique, but it works for me. I leave the pot on the stove to get even hotter. But not boiling. Rinse good.

sewingpup

I have just tried washing the fabric in the regular wash cycle with a couple of color catcher.. repeat washing until there is no color on the color catchers....one batick I had I washed three times...each time the color catcher was the same dark red....I got rid of the fabric....basically gave it away to another quilter who said she was going to try washing it in vinegar....haven't heard if it worked....

Onebyone

This is very interesting about fabric bleeding http://www.newpieces.com/weblog/?p=3398

quiltpal

Thank you. Good info.

Peckish

Yes, the water should be clear. Sewingitalltogether has the right idea with the hot water and Dawn. See this for more info and detailed instructions: https://www.colorwaysbyvicki.com/upl...edingquilt.pdf

I personally think washing in a washing machine with color catchers is wasteful and fruitless. These modern washing machines simply do not use enough water. And vinegar doesn't work with the synthetic dyes they use nowadays. Your best bet is to do what hand-dyers do and soak in hot water, per the instruction sheet attached above.

Good luck!

Onebyone

I have to wash a med size load on Super fill to get the water to cover the clothes in my top loader. I detest the new digital controls. And whats up with the auto lid lock? Ugh. How stupid are people these days that a lid has to be locked on a washer for safety. Oh to have my old washer from years ago.

NZquilter

Thanks! I tried this today and the water stayed clear. I think the Retayne did it's job.

cashs_mom

I agree. I held on to my old washer until it wouldn't work any more at all. While the new top loader seems to get the clothes really clean, the lid lock is annoying. Mine doesn't have super fill. I sure wish it did. I've had to wash large things 2 or even 3 times turning them each time to get them clean. How that saves water is beyond me.