It bled more than any fabric I've ever washed. I washed it twice and added three rinses and there was still a hint of tinge to the water. (I agitate by hand but use the machine.) I added white vinegar to two of the rinses and dried the fabric in the dryer.
Now the deep red fabric is a quilt back--and there's a bright yellow binding... and lots of white with blacks in the top... and I need to wash it before giving it as a gift (basting spray used). So... do you think if I add some vinegar to the wash water, and use two color wash sheets, it'll be fine? Did drying it set the color more? I have time to read replies because I need to sew the binding on by hand... |
Do you have any scraps of it and the other fabrics left?
If yes, put them all together in a jar - add some detergent and water to it - shake and let set for awhile - Come back in an hour or so - and see what happens. Some fabrics seem to be resistant to picking up stray dye molecules. Others seem to be magnets. If the colors seem okay after setting for a while, you are good to go. If not okay - do what the experts suggest. As far as that goes - if you did not wash the black and whites or other fabrics - some of them may also have issues. I think it's Synthrapol that's suggested to pick up stray dye. |
Can you use one of those color catchers when you wash it? I hear they really work well.
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I wash all fabric before using it... so I'm safe there. The color wash sheets work great--but it was all red and it was still in the water after five cycles...
I'll try the detergent trick. :-D |
Use a color catcher sheet. They work real well.
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I'll probably use two color catcher sheets!! :wink
Four fabrics for the quilt are soaking in detergent now... the red, the yellow, a white, and a green.... and the clock ticks. I get dishes done while I wait... |
vinegar is not doing anything to remedy your problem- vinegar only sets acid dyes- which are not used on cottons---so no point in wasting more vinegar.
synthropol in the water will keep dye in the water from getting on other fabrics- color catchers also help collect the dye in the water it is important to remove it right away- don't let it sit wet touching itself- you can usually find synthropol in quilt shops or stores such as joannes- or hobby lobby. |
I agree with washing it with Synthrapol and lots of color catchers. This combo should catch any remaining loose dye particles so they can't settle into other fabrics.
Next time wash a bleeder fabric like that in Retayne! Retayne permanently sets color. A few fabrics need 2 washings in Retayne. You never want to use Retayne on a finished quilt such as yours, though, as it will permanently set any unwanted bleeds into other fabrics. At this point your best choice is Synthrapol and *lots* of color catchers (I'd probably use an entire box!). |
Originally Posted by Prism99
I agree with washing it with Synthrapol and lots of color catchers. This combo should catch any remaining loose dye particles so they can't settle into other fabrics.
Next time wash a bleeder fabric like that in Retayne! Retayne permanently sets color. A few fabrics need 2 washings in Retayne. You never want to use Retayne on a finished quilt such as yours, though, as it will permanently set any unwanted bleeds into other fabrics. At this point your best choice is Synthrapol and *lots* of color catchers (I'd probably use an entire box!). Vinegar is not effective on cotton fabrics, the only benifit is the actual prewashing , you would have the same results if you had not added vinegar. |
Originally Posted by ckcowl
vinegar is not doing anything to remedy your problem- vinegar only sets acid dyes- which are not used on cottons---so no point in wasting more vinegar.
synthropol in the water will keep dye in the water from getting on other fabrics- color catchers also help collect the dye in the water it is important to remove it right away- don't let it sit wet touching itself- you can usually find synthropol in quilt shops or stores such as joannes- or hobby lobby. Thanks for the info on the other products, too! |
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