colors ran
 

help!!! Is there anything I can do to remove color that ran in a quilt I just finished. I didn't pre wash, but I did test every fabric in the quilt and they all seemed colorfast. I used a color-catcher when I washed it. Is there anything else I can do? Thanks ahead of time.
Sue

I can't help you, but I'm sure someone here can. Sorry you are having a problem.

Tell us what colors you used and which one ran and what color was affected by the runs.

Ouch! Sorry to hear that.

Don't dry it - wash it again with a couple of color catchers. I think I've seen Oxy Clean recommended here, too. Another wash might help you get the bleed out or at least lighten it enough to make it acceptable.

If it has not dried, you can 'blot' the areas that ran with a damp fresh color catcher and it will pick up the unset dyes. Just blot the places where it ran, not the source of the run, and as it picks up the dye, switch to a clean part of the color catcher. It takes time, but it does work.

Wash it a couple of more times in a top loader with a couple of color catchers or Synthropol.

I use the Resolve Oxy Clean in the water - hubby managed to spill a red cough syrup all over his clothes while he was away on business so I was washing his shirts 4 days after it had dried into the fibers and it all came out without any hint of a spill

I've had luck with oxyclean even after it has been in the dryer

Rewash and use Sythropol. It will remove the excess dye that has migrated. But do not wait to do it the longer any dye sets the more it is likely to have permanent staining.

Prewash next time is my only suggestion.

I agree with Candace my LQS instructor's get very upset if your coming to quilting class and your material is not pre-washed. I know there's been a number of discussions on here about whether or not people pre-wash their fabrics first. So I pre-wash all my fabrics even at that there's been times where people's colors have ran in a pre-wash.

First of all, what kind of machine did you use to wash your quilt? You are more likely to have this problem if it is a domestic front loader because they use very little water. This means that any dye that bleeds remains very concentrated.

You can remove the bleeds with Synthrapol. However, you need to use the Synthrapol with a lot of water (and the water needs to be hot). Synthrapol suspends unset dye particles in water so they are rinsed away instead of settling into fabric. This is why you need lots of water, to allow the dye particles to remain suspended. A large laundromat front-loader is a good choice for this. Ideally your first wash should have been done this way. Since dye has already settled into other fabrics, you might need more than one wash with Synthrapol to remove all of the bleeds. Usually, if you have not dried the quilt in a dryer, just one wash should do it.

Synthrapol is widely available in quilt shops that cater to dyers, and is also widely available online. Amazon has it.

A color catcher should solve your problem.

Thanks everyone. I used 2 color catchers in the first wash. I also washed it with Synthrapol. I have a top loader with an extra large tub, so I should be alright there. I will wash a couple more times with Synthrapol and Oxyclean and hope for the best. The red ran on a Bargello quilt. I'm just sick over it. Thanks again--I will try all your suggestions.
Sue

Red is always your enemy! I refuse to let red clothing come in the house any longer. Just not worth it. Just keep washing with the color catchers and synthrapol. DO NOT DRY it until you get all the dye out. I had this issue with a green fabric several years ago. It was pre-washed and still ran...and ran and ran and ran. I finally gifted the quilt with a box of color catchers and told them to never wash it without them!

Everyone already gave the suggestions I would have. So sorry this happened. Hope that something works.

Pat

Where does one get Synthapol?

I washed it again with hot water, oxyclean, and Synthapol and it looks a lot better. The quilt is for me, and I think it looks ok. I will put oxyclean in each time I wash it. I have already washed it 4 times. Lesson learned. I rarely use red, but I will be more careful next time. DonnaCee--you can get Synthapol at your LQS. Thanks everyone for your help. You're all the greatest.
Sue

Use Synthropol. I hand dye fabric and that is what is used in the final rinse. I buy mine at a local art supply store that also sells procion dye. Check you lqs and also JoAnn's. Sorry to hear about the problem.:( Now you know why I prewash material.

Synthrapol is also widely available online at places such as Amazon, Dharma Trading and Pro Chem.

After years of not pre - washing and never having a problem, I decided to pre - wash because I'm making a quilted jacket and want it to fit when done. It was fortunate, as I had my first colour run on some French braids that I want to put in panels on the jacket, I amusing black, white and red - of course the red ran and the white bits have a pink tinge. The colour catches don't seem to have an effect. My main course of action is trying to figure out which one of the reds was the culprit.lol - Won't be using that one again! Hope you've had success with fixing your quilt.

I've also had this experience with a green. I fill a large clear glass bowl with very hot water and drop my new fabrics in one at a time. That way I identify the bleeders before prewashing them all together. Sometimes the bleeders get the hot rinse several times before running clear, and yes, there are a few out there that never quit bleeding. Good to know before using. If the water stays clear, I dump the water and the fabric into the machine for the prewash.

I am so sorry your beautiful quilt caused you such agony. I'm glad the suggestions were helpful.

i had this problem with a quilt I made for my son. I washed the quilt NUMEROUS times with synthropol and color catchers to no avail. AFTER I dried it, my friend told me her method. She washes her quilt in Rit Dye remover. I was skeptical, but she said it only takes out the extra dye. It did not fade any of the other fabrics. You can find it by the Rit dye sometimes in the grocery store. I saw it in Hobby Lobby too and you could try JoAnns or Micheals.

I had a store bought quilt"made in China" set with red sashing, washed it,omg, I tried every thing known to man to selvage it! One day I was watching a quilting show and the guest was talking about overdying fabrics for quilts and a light bulb went off! Ta Da, I overdyed the whole dang quilt! Now I have a pink and red quilt and nobody knows but me(and all you QB friends,but I know you'll never tell.)

Synthropol is great for the excess dye and I also recommend Retayn for setting dye. When I do my hand-dyes I use Sythropol for the first wash and then Retayn for the next. If you are prewashing I recommend Retayn to set the dyes, it is also helpful for first wash of new clothes....like blue jeans that will run and run and run....well....colorwise at least.

writing down everyone's suggetions. i always wash, but i'm hearing stories of washed fabric bleeding.

I hope you can save your quilt! Luckily I haven't had this happen but will bookmark this thread just in case I do run into this problem.

I've had fabric run, and when I wahed it again, it was fine. Just don't dry in the drier in between!