i didn't have any problems with the gallery in red or the indigo - i just washed them like i would any type of clothing.
i wash my fabric whole - i don't cut it down to smaller pieces.
i put the 10-15 yards (whatever it is) into a pillowcase and knot the end. then i either wash it with the towels and sheets that i have to do that week or if i have so much fabric to wash i just wash all the fabric (sorting by colors/darks/lights/etc) with everything stuffed into various pillowcases.
then went its done in the dryer, i have DH help me fold it.
we lay the entire length of fabric out and we fold it in half and roll it back onto a cardboard bolt.
then i just cut off what i need, press it, and use it.
the synthrapol and retayne i use mostly with batiks, hand dyed, or other highly saturated/pigmented fabrics and i use it on the fabrics i have for my niece (i buy her cheaper walmart fabrics since she's just learning to sew).