Dina

Can you put different colored fabrics in the washing machine at the same time when using Retayne? I am new to using it and put three red fabrics in the only time I have used it. I now need to "set" the color on three other fabrics, a crayon blue, a navy blue with white stars, and a white with red and blue stars. Do I need to wash those all separately or can I put all three in the washing machine at once?

Thanks for any information anyone can give me.

Dina

Peckish

You might want to research the difference between Retayne and Synthrapol.

I'm not a hand-dyer, but this is what I understand the difference is from the handful of hand-dyers I know.

Synthrapol suspends loose dye particles in the water so they aren't absorbed into the fabrics.
Retayne keeps the dye particles in the fabric.

Another thing to note - Vicki Welsh, a prolific hand-dyer, states that modern washing machines do not come anywhere near using enough water to effectively dye and wash out excess dye. She recommends using your tub. You can read more information on her very good website. https://www.colorwaysbyvicki.com/sav...g-quilt.html#/

I personally would not combine any of those fabrics you describe into one single load, I would put them separately into my bathtub with some Dawn and very hot water, and let them soak overnight.

GingerK

Do you know for sure that these three fabrics are going to run? If you don't, do a test first. Not every fabric has to be colour set. For smaller yardages, I fill my sink or a pail with hot water, immerse and swish the fabric around. If the water is lightly coloured, I drain and repeat. I only use Retayne if the fabric does not stop bleeding.

Dina

Two of the fabrics have already been washed several times with Color Catchers and they are still bleeding. The third fabric is from the same company. I have already decided not to buy any more fabric from them, but I would like to get this fabric in a useable condition. I have 5 yards of one and 4 another and 2 yards of the last. They may end up being dog beds...though those get washed too.

Thanks for the information from both of you.

Dina

Jeanette Frantz

Dina, for what it's worth, I use Ritz Dye Laundry Treatment. It is a dye fixative, and I use it in my very large stainless steel stew pot. I mix it according to the instructions on the bottle, and start, beginning with the lightest color fabric. In your case, you may have some serious problems with the colors mixing together. Question: Do the fabrics fade, i.e., on your white with the colored stars, does the color "run" or "bleed" onto the adjacent white? If so, that presents another set of problems. If not, then I would use the dye fixative -- let me grab my bottle, so I can be sure I've got the exact and correct name (I corrected it above). Since you already know the fabric "runs" or "bleeds", I think your choices are somewhat limited. As much fabric as you have, though, if it were me, I think I'd take a chance on using the dye fixative. I have no financial interest whatsoever in the product -- I just know that it works for me, and I've used it for several quilts, particularly the red and white log cabin shown in my avatar. I used the same mixture in all of the shades (except the white tone-on-tones-which I pre-washed). I started with the lightest shades first, bringing the water to a simmer on the stove top. I put in the dry fabric (and I have done 3-5 yards in my stew pot) and keep the water warm/hot on top of the stove for about 15 minutes; then, using large tongs, I put it in the sink, cooling it down with cold water, wring, and put in the washer and run a rinse cycle, dry and use. I know it's work, but I've never had a failure on a cotton fabric, and I test all my fabrics, before and after. If the fabrics don't bleed, I don't treat them, but most of your fabrics will bleed some, vibrant colors more than a lot of others. I ordered the product online -- just do a search online -- Dye Fixative or Ritz Laundry Treatment -- it only took a couple of days for the product to be shipped. It's definitely worth the effort -- I cannot afford to use fabric and have it bleed either in a quilt or in a garment. JMHO! Whatever you decide to do, good luck with your project!

themadpatter

Dina, I used Synthrapol on a bunch of fabrics that were losing dye when I prewashed them. I used Synthrapol in 2 pots on my stove, and did a "reds" pot and a "blues" pot. I think I probably could have done them all at once, but I had too many to fit. There was very little dye in the water, so I think I could have done them all together in the washer, but alas, I have a front loader.

I tried the Rit dye fixative first, but it was absolutely useless, in my opinion and experience. After I finished using it, I test washed the fabrics with a color catcher, and they still ran all over the place. That was a bummer.

Would you mind saying what brand of fabric you had the problem with? Mine was NFL licenced Dallas Cowboys fabric, which really annoyed me. For something that expensive, I expected better. Of course, it's quite possible that it's actually cheap fabric that is only expensive due to the addition of the licencing fee. I told the quilt's recipient I hoped her team was better than the fabric, otherwise they wouldn't have anything other than a running game. Hahaha, I just kill myself sometimes, I'm so funny. The other fabrics were a bunch of miscellaneous batiks and dark red quilting cottons, so no surprises, that those were having dye instability issues.

Dina

I would rather not say what company the fabric I bought was from. My sister pointed out to me that since I don't normally prewash my fabric, I have no way of comparing fabric bleeding.

What I am trying to do is make sure my quilts of valor don't cause anyone problems after the vets get them. Normally just washing with a Color Catcher after the quilt is complete has worked, but last year a red bled even though I used a Color Catcher and washed in cold. I don't want a repeat. I was very disappointed. I had prewashed my solid reds but I guess one of the patterned patriotic strips from a jelly roll was the cause. I did not prewash the jelly roll strips.

Thanks everyone for your help. I have ordered Retayne and it should arrive today.

Dina

Onebyone

Color catchers will always be pink after washing reds. Wet a piece of the fabric with hot water and rub it on white cotton fabric. That's the best way to check after washing for bleeding. I have learned over the years that if a fabric still bleeds after two washing then I get rid of it. Too much time and money wasted trying to salvage it. I consider it a loss and forget about it.

Dina

Thanks, I will do that.

Dina

WendyMcD

I'm a hand dyer, we have been dyeing for many years now. The best way to use Retayne is to work them all up separately. We heat our water to 120 then add the Retayne to fabric ratio needed into the water. Set a timer for 20 minutes and then rinse, dry, iron. Works great every time.