Color Catchers

**kristakz** · 12-08-2012, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by QuiltE

SW Ontario reporting here!

Look for Dr. Beckmann Colour & Dirt Collectors .... virtually the same as the Color Catchers that our USA neighbour have. They work and I use them in ALL pre-wash of fabrics to know how stable the colours are.

Just want to say "Me too". Metro in Eastern Ontario carries Dr Beckmann's colour catchers. Seems the original can't be imported into Canada due to the chemicals used, so you are unlikely to find them anywhere.

I also agree with the poster who said be careful - my first colour catcher disappeared completely - I assume down the drain. Now I always pin them to the fabric that is likely to bleed. Haven't lost one since

**QuiltE** · 12-08-2012, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by kristakz

Just want to say "Me too".
I also agree with the poster who said be careful - my first colour catcher disappeared completely - I assume down the drain. Now I always pin them to the fabric that is likely to bleed. Haven't lost one since

Me three!!

... After thinking I was developing alzheimers a few times, and thanks to KristaKz sharing she thought she was going bonkers wiht me ... I started pinning them to an old washcloth!

Easy to find when I open the washing machine ... and know the results!

BTW ...... if your Metro does not have them, be sure to ASK!! Sometimes it's a matter that they have not stocked them, and just need to know customers want them. If not in the store, they can get them for you ...

**sandilee** · 12-08-2012, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by romanojg

Color Catchers work great but beware. There was a post on here about someone spending a fortune on repair bills because they got hung up on the washers drain. I started pinning them to a washcloth but it was already too late. My washer quit draining and I had to call the repair man. When he got there; sure enough, there were 2 of them clogging it up. I was lucky because I had a warranty so it didn't cost me anything. Either pin them to a washcloth or put them in a mesh laundry bag so that you know they aren't getting stuck somewhere they shouldn't. Its funny I have little tiny socks from my granddaughter and they never get stuck. I guess it's because the CC are so thin and small. Keep on using them but just becareful. I know Walmarts has them plus in the part that has bathroom/laundry things (not the detergent isle) they have a different product that is supposed to do the same thing. You could probably order them on line as well. All the chains here carry them.

Thanks for the hint. I will remember this when I use them.

**michelled** · 12-09-2012, 04:45 AM

Thank you everyone! Now I know that there's an alternative product and that if I do find Color Catchers, I need to pin it/them to something bigger. If I had found Color Catchers when I was looking, I would never have asked and then I'd be either wondering how they were disappearing in the washer or paying for a service call/repair on the washer. When it comes to being generous with advice (and praise) this board rocks

**azwendyg** · 12-09-2012, 05:02 AM

Originally Posted by Lori S

If you can't get color catchers, can you get Synthropol? Its actually better than color catchers. You add the liquid to the wash and it suspends any unset dye so it won't set on the other fabrics. Personally, I trust Sythropol more than color catchers.

Ditto for me. Synthropol would be my choice as well. Like Lori says, is suspends the dye in water instead of allowing it to bond with the fabrics. Color catchers can be made by soaking pieces of absorbent fabric in soda ash which will attract dyes to bond with those pieces of fabric hopefully, instead of your quilt.

**romanojg** · 12-09-2012, 05:02 AM

Originally Posted by michelled

Thank you everyone! Now I know that there's an alternative product and that if I do find Color Catchers, I need to pin it/them to something bigger. If I had found Color Catchers when I was looking, I would never have asked and then I'd be either wondering how they were disappearing in the washer or paying for a service call/repair on the washer. When it comes to being generous with advice (and praise) this board rocks

You are very welcome. The way I see it no matter where I'm at and if I know something that may help someone I should speak up. I know that I'd never know if my info helped them or if they used it but I know that at least I tried to make sure the bad things didn't happen to someone and the good things did help them. Color Catchers do work so taking a little precaution with them makes for a happier outcome. Sometimes you don't even notice that they'd be missing until it was too late and the repair man points them out to you. Good luck with your search for them or something that works as well.

**QuiltE** · 12-09-2012, 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by michelled

Thank you everyone! Now I know that there's an alternative product and that if I do find Color Catchers, I need to pin it/them to something bigger.

BTW ... I pin the Dr. Beckmann's too.
Besides, I don't like having to play hide and seek when I open the washer!!!

Hope you have luck when you head out to your Metro!

**kathbug** · 12-10-2012, 02:43 AM

Try going to the manager and ask if they can order them to have in stock. I know a lot the stores will do this for their customers

**SunlitenSmiles** · 12-10-2012, 03:18 AM

early morning here and I am giggling because I am 'picturing' QuiltE playing hide-and-seek .....giggggle

in the old days we used a piece of unbleached muslin (about fat-quarter size) in the wash to catch any loose color.
It worked well and would get an ugly shade of gray.

**Battle Axe** · 12-10-2012, 03:26 AM

For 25 years I had a hand dyed rag rug business. The Shout color catchers saved my bacon many times. I could never buy enough of them. Interesting about not being able to be imported to Canada because of the chemicals. I thought it was a secret formula. I thought they were made in Ireland. What ever it was, it worked very well. I had one designer who wanted a whole new rug because of bleeding. So I had him send back the original rug and I washed it with 12 color catchers at a laundromat. I don't think I ever lost a color catcher, but all 12 of them were weird colors. The rug came out fine and I finally told him about the color catchers.

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