Makine a textile colorfast

Aug 21, 2005 5 Replies
V

Hello all. I am new to your group, but I've already found out some great information. I've just returned from India and brought back several textiles with gorgeous natural dyes. However, I'm very concerned about the fabric bleeding. Have read through the posts and many people are suggesting Alum - also found some sort of solution through Dharma Trading Co. The thing is, it sounds as if most of these solutions need to be added DURING the dyeing process - as opposed to now, getting them home and wanting to wash them. In addtion, some of the items are clothing, so they will need frequent wash. Any ideas? Suggestions?



Thanks so much for your input.



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K

I have found that fabrics dyed with chemical dyes in India bleed a great deal (I've been working with some today) but I've never had the same problem with natural dyed fabrics. Is there any way you can test your clothing somewhere it won't show?

Sarah

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V

Hi Sarah. Thanks for your note. Yeah, I can try washing it. It's something I'd like to buy in mass in the future though, so I'm trying to figure out a dependable way to ensure the colorfastness. Some of the things I purchase in the future may not be natural dyes. Good to note though. Thanks much!

Kelly

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S

Don't know if this would be of help but I remember reading back a bit about vinegar and cold water. Could it be that you might have to soak the clothes before washing to help prevent loosing the dyes?

I have never tried this, but maybe a google search will be of help. Good luck with this. Let us know how it turns out.

Diane

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D

I have used Synthrapol to trap loose dye particles after dyeing. It does prevent the colors from "muddying" each other. The silk yarns that I have dyed usually only bleed during the initial washing. HTH, DA

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