how many times do you reuse a color catcher?
 

I don't like to waste so I reuse them but at what point do they stop absorbing new color? Thanks!

I will use it until it darkens or shows a lot of spotting.

I thought they were 1 time use. I used 3 to wash a quilt a couple of weeks ago and they turned so purple I threw then away.. Never even thought about reusing them and I recycle every thing I can.

Posting this thread got me wondering what the heck color catchers are anyway. I found some articles with instructions to make them at home. It's 1 T washing soda dissolved in a cup of hot water. Saturate a cotton cloth with this, line dry and it's a color catcher. Has anyone tried this?

I just use mine once.

I tried this and it became a onetime use. I can usually find a coupon. I reuse them if no bleeding or very light. I also bought a pack of terry cloth cleaning rags that I throw in with the color catchers. The rags work great and I can throw them in a load with bleach later and reuse. The rags are 100% cotton.

But you don't use the terry alone? Only in combo with a color catcher?

I use them 2 or 3 times. They always come out pink with my darks and white with my whites.

Hmm...then wouldn't a smidge of washing soda work, just by itself?

On one of the web sites, the author said she tested that and it didn't do the trick. Somehow soaking the cloth in the washing soda and line drying it (not machine) was necessary. I'm not confident enough of this to take a chance with my items. I wonder if I used a home made one and a true color catcher at the same time??? Then if the home made one did not work, at least the real one would have me covered.

Back to the original question though, as many of you say, I reuse them when they are lightly colored. When they get dark, I discard them. But I often wonder if they keep absorbing even if they are totally black....