Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
How To Make Your Own Color Catchers.  Tips? >

How To Make Your Own Color Catchers. Tips?

How To Make Your Own Color Catchers. Tips?

Old 01-24-2015, 06:34 AM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 4,810
Default How To Make Your Own Color Catchers. Tips?

I think that color catchers are amazing things to have around the laundry area and to help with bleeder fabrics. The problem for me is that our local stores don't carry them. So, I think that I might make my own. I looked up some "recipes" online and came up with using soda ash (washing soda) and water, soaking some scrap fabric, or felt, in it and letting the scraps air dry. OK, so how much soda do I need? Where do I get the soda ash? Anyone else every tried this? If so, tips are welcome. Thanks.

~ Cindy
tropit is offline  
Old 01-24-2015, 06:40 AM
  #2  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: West Coast
Posts: 9,267
Default

Dharma Trading sells soda ash, but I don't think that is really what you want. I think a bottle of synthrapol would be a better choice for washing away excess dye.
DebraK is offline  
Old 01-24-2015, 06:57 AM
  #3  
Super Member
 
IrishNY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: was Upstate NY, now NC & TN
Posts: 2,328
Default

Seems like it would be easier to just order Color Catchers online. I just checked Amazon and you can get them. I'm sure there are other resources. I'm a HUGE fan of online shopping.
IrishNY is offline  
Old 01-24-2015, 07:07 AM
  #4  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
Posts: 16,105
Default

Some of the stores don't know how to stock them in various shelves. Our local grocery and local Walmart have them in different locations all the time. Some of the discount stores have them. When I see them I buy atleast 2-3 boxes. I also use them over. I have done a quick wash in dish detergent like Dawn. Then rinse well til clear and reuse.
tessagin is offline  
Old 01-24-2015, 07:07 AM
  #5  
Super Member
 
SewExtremeSeams's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7,741
Default

Walmart carries them and cost less. Do you have one nearby?
SewExtremeSeams is offline  
Old 01-24-2015, 07:09 AM
  #6  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,820
Default

A non treated organic white cotton terry cloth will work to grab colors. The original catchers were made from this, no chemicals at all. But that fabric is expensive so may as well by the paper color catchers. Purex has a new no sorting detergent. No color catcher needed. Soda Ash is sold at pool supply stores. In grocery stores it is Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda.
Onebyone is offline  
Old 01-24-2015, 07:56 AM
  #7  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 4,810
Default

I know...I could buy them online, but now I'm intrigued about making them myself. I would imagine that would be the cheaper route and they seem pretty easy to make. I'll try Dharma for the soda ash. I found a recipe that called for only 1 tablespoon of soda ash to 1 cup of water. You just soak the fabric in the solution and let them air dry. The instructions called for felt, but I'm thinking of using an old, ripped, cotton towel.
~Cindy
tropit is offline  
Old 01-24-2015, 08:41 AM
  #8  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,820
Default

A build up of soda ash in the wash will make your clothes very odd feeling over time and towels very nonabsorbent. It doesn't rinse out easy.
Onebyone is offline  
Old 01-24-2015, 09:09 AM
  #9  
Super Member
 
Pollytink's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 1,365
Default

Interesting thread! How do the color catchers work? Someone suggested terry cloth....and other solutions. I use the CC's and have wondered just how they work.
Pollytink is offline  
Old 01-24-2015, 09:15 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
lildinks2013's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: near memphis tn
Posts: 682
Default

As someone suggested a terry cloth. Would a terry wash cloth (white) work along with some arm n Hammer on cold cycle? Then maybe set the color with vinegar after that wash?
lildinks2013 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sewbeeit42
Links and Resources
15
10-17-2012 08:45 AM
Ditter43
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
5
08-19-2012 12:55 PM
Ilovemydogs
Links and Resources
16
08-18-2012 11:40 PM
NCannie
Main
20
06-09-2012 09:01 AM
craftybear
Links and Resources
8
06-06-2012 02:58 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter