Bleeding of red wool
 

Does anyone know of a magical way of stopping the red from bleeding. I have tried soaking (several hours) in hot water, in cold water, with color catcher, vinegar, salt and retain. It is still bleeding very badly. I have not sewn it in to anything (luckily) but want to use it as it is a very nice piece of wool that is from a coat of mine that I took apart. It is going to be the backing, if I can stop the red from running, for a candle mat. I want the recipient to be able to wash it if necessary. Only the back is wool, the top is a hand sticthed Lucy Boston design.

You could check to see if Retayne is appropriate for wool.

The directions say to use hot water, which could shrink your wool.
However, that may not be of an issue to you for the purpose you are using it.

Just the same ... you need to find out if Retayne would do the same for wool as cottons.
Granted, you could always give it a try and find out!

Hmmm sorry, I've always followed hand dyers instructions to soak bleeders in plenty of very hot water, with a dab of Dawn detergent, over night. If you've tried this and are still experiencing bleeding, I really don't know that you'll ever be able to get it to stop.

I use Ritz Laundry Treatment - Dye Fixative. I always re-test the fabric after treatment. If that doesn't work, I would NOT use the fabric for any project that would be washed.

I use the retayne to set the dye then wash with synthrapol to get rid of the excess dye.hey don't work I wouldn't use it.

Don't soak it - run water over it until the water runs clear.