about color catchers
 

How can you tell when a color catcher is past it's effectiveness? (because I didn't count how many
times I used it)

They can be used more than once?? Who knew! (These are fairly new to me, so I appreciate acquiring any info.)

Jan in VA

I get rid of mine when they look dark to me. It depends on what I'm washing, too. Some colors of fabric will bleed a lot, but others (such as yellow) don't seem to be too bad. I don't wait until they turn black, but just if they seem full of color. I usually throw them out after one use, but often they come out almost as white as when they went in.

If they haven't picked up much color I reuse them. Sometimes I'll put in two used sheets if I have something I think will bleed a lot.

I keep using them as long as they are white or lightly colored. I wasn't sure if they were still working until a well-used sheet came out a bright blue from a significantly bleeding fabric! So yes, they just keep on working! I threw it away after that, of course.

I always re use, Until it gets dark.

I also use them until they've got a bit of color on them. If I'm washing something that I think may bleed alot, I'll put in 3-4. They do work great! It's funny what colors end up bleeding...I once had more yellows bleed than the reds/purples.

i'm one of those- i use it once- then toss it-like fabric softener sheets- i guess i never thought about using it over & over- when i bought them i read the box---& do what it says---i would imagine- when the bleeding color gets on other fabrics- the color catcher is no longer working-

Never used them more than once. If I put them in there are dark colors that I am sure will fade and the appearance of these things show me I am right!

I just found out yesterday that there were 2 kinds--one that looks like a wash cloth and the other looks like fabric softener sheets! I had always gotten the cloth ones from Safeway but I saw some in Walmart and bought 3 boxes because they were cheaper than Safeway. I hope they work as good as the cloth ones. The box says to throw away the sheets after the wash.

I've been throwing them away after a single use even if there was no change. Thanks for the info on re-using. Will try it.

I have always thrown them after one use.

Thanks for your responses. My box (the wash cloth kind) said it could be used several times, but I threw the
box away that says how many & didn't keep track of how many times I had used it.
Using it once too many times would be a disaster!

I use mine until it's really dark.

Okay, here is what I did. I have an HE machine. I took a delicates washing bag (about 15 inches by 18 inches with a zipper). I put three color catchers in it laying them flat, side to side. Then I sewed 2 long lines leaving about 4 inches in the middle. When I am washing new fabric, I slip 2 new color catchers (one on each side of the three) and reuse this until the newest ones become dark. I can usually get 3-4 washes out and the catches don't wad up and become tiny little balls in the machine. And yes, the original ones are very dark but it doesn't hurt them and they keep the bag relatively flat when washing. I have just completed my 3rd batik quilt so you know I am getting some bleed but I have also found that if I wash in cold water and make sure those instructions are on the labels of the completed quilts, I have had no bleeding on the lighter/white borders. These fabrics have been from Batik Plus, Jo Anns, and Hobby Lobby!!!!

I have the wash cloth kind too. I believe it's good for 30 washes. I use a lot of strongly colored fabrics so I've used mine over and over - its currently a nasty greyish brown. But still seems to be working just fine.

Thanks for the info. I was using the ones that look like an extra thick drier sheet and just using them once. Even talked my hubby into using them on his work clothes. Will try using more than once.

ditto for me also.

color sheets
 

I even use softener sheets over for several loads and they work fine for me. Sometimes if it has been used twice in a large load I just throw an extra in and sometimes use all those 3 for another small dryer load. Color Catchers I throw out when they get a dark color also but sometimes sooner depending if it holding a lot of color or if I think it is going to bleed a lot...I've been wrong at times and not color came out at all. Tough decision on both of these. Trying is the best way to find out. Never ever give a scrap quilt without a couple of color catchers as I have had some bleeding on scrap quilts even after I've washed them. Better safe than sorry.

Jan, there are two kinds of color catchers. One is meant only to be used once and thrown away. There' s another one that is "cottony" looking and lasts about 30 uses.

I think my box said 30 washes. I can no longer find that kind and have picked up a box of the sheets but they can only be used once, i use three at a time.

I have the same one, I think. It has a little "keep track of" area on the box with circles that you color in and when you get to the last one, you throw it out. I have 12 circles colored in now (with grandkids crayons) and it is an ugly grey, but it is still working. (18 quilts to go)!!!! It gets a little darker with each use. Have no complaints whatsoever. To be honest, it is the only one I have ever had and thank God, I have never had a color run, but I wanted to be totally on the safe side!! I feel too much work goes into a quilt to have a red or black run into a quilt. So I opt for the easiest solution. And I never throw it in the dryer. That's what the instructions say. Hang it up on a line in the basement or wherever and let it line dry! I hate to think of what that little bugger would do in a dryer. I got mine at the grocery store!!!!!! Not expensive at all considering how many quilts you save in the process! Edie

Can you please tell me what a colour catcher is and where to get them ? I'm in Tasmania and have never heard of such a thing.

I just finished probably my first quilt that I didn't prewash everything - and wouldn't you know it has lots of bright colors in it. I'm so grateful for this product, and hope it protects the quilt - I haven't had the nerve to try washing it yet, but have bought the catchers to use when the time comes. Thanks for all the tips and info.

Me. too. Guess I'll have to go read the box. LOL!!

I use mine one time but will try more now.... I love them they work great....

I re use mine several times till they get dark. Then I use them in my art quilts!! I love these things. I had to start hiding them from my son...I think he thought they were dryer sheets!! What a great product.

I didn't know they could be used more than once! Always learn something new here.

I get mine at the local grocery store in the soap isle. If you don't see it you could ask them to carry it. My local store is very good about fulfilling requests.

I use the ones that look like fabric softener sheets. I have usually just used once because i don't use them with every load, just when I know something is new or as in unwashed fabrics.
I have put them in the dryer with the load I put them with in the wash. Then I throw them out.

If you find untreated cotton cloth, it's the same thing as the original color catcher cloth. Untreated cotton fabric is pricey but it can be bleached and used over and over when it gets full of color. Check out newborn white onsies at yard sales. Some of those are untreated and work great for color catchers. Carbona still makes the fabric color catcher. I bought some at Walmart marked down to $1 last summer. Why so cheap? They were in the old style package, the new packaging the price went back to $5. I bought a case (24). 30 uses per cloth, I can wash 720 quilts. Many more if I want to bleach the cloth. Not bad for $24. http://www.carbona.com/color-grabberreusablecloth.html

I use mine just once. I wonder if they are treated with something that absorbs the excess dye. If so, it could be washed out after one cycle in the washer. Maybe they wouldn't work the second time....not worth the chance!

Isabella -- the ones that for one-time use and look alot like dryer sheets are called SHOUT Color Catchers and you can find them in the aisle with fabric softeners, laundry soap, prewashes, etc. I've only ever used one at a time and you just put it in with your load of wash. If any color runs, you will see it on the sheet when you empty the washer. Sometimes there will be alot of color, sometimes not much at all. How the color gets drawn to the catcher and not deposited on your other items is a mystery to me. Must be magic. I think these are the greatest invention ever and reasonably priced. I didn't know there was one that can be used over and over that looks like a wash cloth. I will look for that one--I assume in the same aisle??

I love this board. I'm learning so much!

I didn't think you could reuse the Shout color catchers. I always throw them out after using them once. There is a terry cloth one (Carbona brand) that says it's reusable up to 30 times, but how do you keep track? :)

This is how I use them if they are still white I've reused them, but if there is color on them I just use once, and if I have a lot of fabric or several pieces I'll use two.

I reuse the color catchers as long as they are still white or light in color. I figure they can catch a littlte more color. I don't let them get too dark though. These are the Shout color catchers. The fabric color catchers can be used until they are fairly dark.

I use the color catchers that look like dryer sheets and I use them more than once - depending on how dark it gets in the wash.

It never occurred to me to reuse them.

I use co;or shout sheets had it not work on some of my GD new shirts called the company they sent me a otherwise only use them once20 CHECK AND TWO $5 coupons the lady said use two or three if you think something will bleed

I only use them once.