why do batiks smell?
 

Sounds like the beginning of a joke, doesn't it? I was just wondering why they smell, especially when you iron them.

Michelle

Because of how they're made. I sneeze til after I've thrown them into the washer. I also wash them in warm/hot water and use color catchers. I like to throw a little Arm and Hammer laundry booster to help and sometimes vinegar. If they still smell I do it again.

it's the chemicals they use to set the dye and to remove the wax, I have some that have been washed twice and are still very strong, I guess it will fade with time if they are not closed up in a container.

Once I wash them its fine. My bed quilt is made from batiks. I love how it looks and also they are nice and light.

Having seen them made in person... it is anything but a green process. The dye pots and removing the wax resist process is very harsh and all done manually its no wonder that not all of the chemicals are rinsed in the final process.

batiks should ALWAYS be pre-washed - with detergent- then dried & ironed- to remove the chemicals -- also to avoid any dye bleeding- it is common for excess dyes to come out in the first wash- always better for that to happen in a pre-wash than on a completed quilt. I love batiks- use them a lot! they go straight into the washer when they come through the door- it's the only fabric that I always, always pre-wash.

and on the other hand, I've never pre-washed my batiks and have never had a bleeding problem ruin a quilt. Pushing my luck, I guess. I wash all my quilts with synthrapol. Something I learned from dyeing clothing many years ago.

and...i'm weird, because the smell doesn't bother me, also probably from years of dyeing.

I think this is true with any hand-dyed fabric, isn't it? Maybe it is true for any commercial dyed fabric?

I have found Kona cotton solid colors to have a funny odor also, plus when I iron them they darken /discolor and regain their original color after they cool off.