ckcowl

sorry i didn't get back to answer your questions sooner---been quite a week
anyway--
i soak my fabrics in their dye solution for up to 24 hours- depending on what i have going on & how (rich) i want my colors-
then i wring them out over the dye bucket- take them to the sink & rinse in cold water --- then i take them to the washer & toss them in with detergent- sometime i do use Retayne (especially if it's a red- purple- black---color that tends to like to run) i only use synthropol if i am washing a handdyed fabric with other fabrics (& i'm worried it may run) generally if it is one someone else dyed or a batik---i already know mine aren't going to run ---and i don't use synthropol unless the fabric is being laundered with other fabrics---it keeps the fugitive dyes suspended in the water-so they won't get on other fabrics-
so is not necessary if you are just washing your newly dyed fabrics-
retayne is good to use though= read the instructions and do as instructed- you are wasting it if you don't use it the way it's supposed to be used-
very very seldom do i have a (home dyed) fabric run later.