Washing fabric advice needed
#1
I always add a cup of vinegar to the water when washing my fabric to set the colors. Should I also use laundry detergent as well. I wash all my fabric in cold water, and I separate all the colors before I wash them. Am I doing the right thing?
Thanks,
Mary (stitchengramie)
Thanks,
Mary (stitchengramie)
#2
If you are just prewashing to set the dyes and shrink the fabric, that should be fine. If you are wanting to get rid of the chemicals/sizing, then I would probably add laundry detergent. :D:D:D
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
The vinegar is sufficent to remove the sizing and/or treatments. The vinegar is actually more effective for this purpose than laundry detergent.
I know many believe it but vinegar does not set dyes on cotton fabrics . It would only work if acid type dyes are used . Acid type dyes are never used on 100 percent cotton fabrics.
The benefits you are getting is actually from the washing and drying to remove the excess dye.
I know many believe it but vinegar does not set dyes on cotton fabrics . It would only work if acid type dyes are used . Acid type dyes are never used on 100 percent cotton fabrics.
The benefits you are getting is actually from the washing and drying to remove the excess dye.
#7
Interesting how we all have different opinions on how to wash. I wash on hot with detergent. I figure I will get maximum shrinkage and fading that way, and I would rather that it happen before I use the fabric in a quilt.
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: California
Posts: 14,723
Originally Posted by dunster
Interesting how we all have different opinions on how to wash. I wash on hot with detergent. I figure I will get maximum shrinkage and fading that way, and I would rather that it happen before I use the fabric in a quilt.
#9
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
vinegar does not set the color in quilting cottons-
it will however freshen the water-
vinegar only works with acid dyes----which are used for wools- and other fibers-besides cottons
i could never understand why anyone would wash fabric- quilt or otherwise- without detergent---seems like a waste of time and water to me-
i always use detergent- i want to wash away any sizing/chemicals/oils in the fabrics
i do not use fabric softener when pre-washing fabrics- mainly because it can effect how fusables or other treatments you might use while making your quilt- i do however use fab softener when i wash the completed quilt.
but unless you need to adjust the ph of your water- you are just wasting vinegar.
it will however freshen the water-
vinegar only works with acid dyes----which are used for wools- and other fibers-besides cottons
i could never understand why anyone would wash fabric- quilt or otherwise- without detergent---seems like a waste of time and water to me-
i always use detergent- i want to wash away any sizing/chemicals/oils in the fabrics
i do not use fabric softener when pre-washing fabrics- mainly because it can effect how fusables or other treatments you might use while making your quilt- i do however use fab softener when i wash the completed quilt.
but unless you need to adjust the ph of your water- you are just wasting vinegar.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,847
Originally Posted by dunster
Interesting how we all have different opinions on how to wash. I wash on hot with detergent. I figure I will get maximum shrinkage and fading that way, and I would rather that it happen before I use the fabric in a quilt.
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