Dealing with Red...
#1
I have it in mind to make a red and white quilt. I have heard that dyes can be set with either warm water and vinegar or cold water and salt. Has anyone had any luck setting red dyes so that they don't bleed on the white fabrics?
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 294
Originally Posted by Anna.425
I have it in mind to make a red and white quilt. I have heard that dyes can be set with either warm water and vinegar or cold water and salt. Has anyone had any luck setting red dyes so that they don't bleed on the white fabrics?
Salt does very little; it is used as a booster in a dye bath with fibre reactive dyes to make the dyes less likely to react to the water molecules, which leaves more dye molecules available to react to the fibre receptor sites.
If you're really concerned, I suggest washing with Synthrapol (or Dharma Trading's knock-off version). Synthrapol is as close to a neutral pH as a detergent can get. Pre-wash in warm water (unless you have an old pre-Energy Star washing machine; if you have an oldie, pre-wash in cold).
After the quilt has been made, wash in cold water with Synthrapol (or Dharma Trading's knock-off).
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,572
I just test my reds before I use them - never prewash. I wet a white washcloth and rub the fabric.
Never having pre-washed, I only once had a red bleed. Found that out the hard way... Ever since, I've tested my reds as above. Not one has bled since. I think reds get a bad rap!
Never having pre-washed, I only once had a red bleed. Found that out the hard way... Ever since, I've tested my reds as above. Not one has bled since. I think reds get a bad rap!
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,827
There's been ever so many threads on this subject and specifically about red, vinegar and salt.
While I recognize perhaps you have not read them, might I suggest you use the search function above and you'll have more than you ever wanted to know, to make your decision on the matter.
Good Luck!
While I recognize perhaps you have not read them, might I suggest you use the search function above and you'll have more than you ever wanted to know, to make your decision on the matter.
Good Luck!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Julie in NM
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
32
02-03-2011 12:45 PM
JanieW
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
61
12-29-2010 12:21 PM
cjomomma
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
172
08-08-2010 07:01 AM