color catchers do work/help- it is always best to separate (sort) your fabrics, wash lights with lights, darks with darks, reds separate from blues/greens ect. but the color catchers do work. if you can find it synthropol works too- it keeps dyes suspended in the water-keeping them from getting on other fabrics...it is important to follow the instructions that come with what ever product you choose to use for the best results (and batiks do not tend to fray very much- they are *generally* a tighter weave than other quilting cottons.