Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How do you set dye in a silk garment? I would like to use old thin silk blouses to make a quilt. Some of them just run and run every time I wash them. What kind of dye does the manufacturers use for these silks? I have tried white vinegar, but it didn't work. Will the dryer or ironing help set it?
By DeBushe from Gilroy, CA
When you use food coloring or cake decorating paste with white vinegar as fixative for protein fibers (wool, silk are protein fibers) you want the temp to get to 180 degrees plus or minus a few degrees. Not a simmer, below that. The color will 'strike' at that temp when you have about 2 Tablespoons of white vinegar per quart of water. By that it means the fiber will suck up/take up the color and water will be clear or close to it.Take off heat, let cool, rinse, hand wash gently with a little dish soap and rinse again. Keep rinsing until there is no color in water.
You don't want to simmer or boil silk; it can start to dissolve, but does take dye well.
How do you prepare a color guard product at home? I want to make a product that would prevent the dyes from mixing with water and spreading into other white clothes.
I was told vinegar with glycerin is an ideal combination. Can anybody help?
Salt
I've just bought a red wool and cashmere coat, with a patterned, red polyester lining. I didn't notice the disclaimer label, when I bought it, stating you should not get it moist or damp, avoid contact with light fabrics, upholstery, or accessories. What can I do to prevent it bleeding? I really like the coat.
By Rosemary from Nottingham, UK
To be honest, if it were me I'd replace the lining for something more sensible. This is something you can do if you sew, or you can hire it out - usually the dry cleaner will have a tailor/seamstress on staff.
It may cost you a bit but a wool and cashmere coat is an investment so the cost of replacing the lining is well worth it!
If you really like the coat and think its worth it, why not change the lining to a fabric which wont bleed? I know some dry cleaners in the u.k. would do the alteration for you for a fee. if you know how to sew yourself, then just unpick the lining and use it as a pattern.
I would ask a dry cleaner. Perhaps having it dry cleaned could help.
How to set the dye in a new handmade quilt?
By Bea from Reston, MB
Wash in very cold water with vinegar and salt added. That should set the color.
I'm knitting an afghan for my grandson who's going to Michigan State. The colors are dark green and white. The yarn is 75% acrylic and 25% wool. Is there anything I can do before I give it to him to prevent the dark green from running?
By Betty
I do this with all my cottons... I think it would work for wool if you take the necessary precautions in drying it. I rinse all my cotton fabrics in cold salt water and then rinse the salt away in cold water then dry in the dryer.
I doubt you have to do anything in particular. With acrylic yarn the color is actually spun into the fabric - I believe it is part of the chemical process (ie they don't make the yarn & then dye it). I've never had a problem with color drift on any man made yarn & I doubt the 25% wool would change that. The mostly acrylic with some wool yarns I've used have generally pretty much acted like 100% acrylic yarns. You could try washing it in cold water with salt or vinegar & then machine drying as always before you give it to him.
How do you keep the colour in the shirt when you wash it? Is there something you can spray on it to hold it in the fabric?
By Ellen S
The first time you wash it, wash in cold water with a cup of salt and a cup of white vinegar. That should set the color.
Also, wash it in cold water; that helps prevent colors running, although sometimes I have found that there is nothing to be done!
My daughter bought a material school bag from a surf shop. It is yellow. The problem is that from sweating, the yellow from the straps has come onto her white school shirt. How will I stop the yellow dye from the bag staining her shirt?
By Kat
Check this out: www.joann.com/
and read the reviews! I have not used this product but it sounds like it might work. I have used the old vinegar and salt tricks in the past...
Every time I buy new sheets they go patchy in the first few washes and even change color. I have had 2 sets of sheets that were a duck egg green that changed to more of a blue after washing. I follow all the instructions, cold water wash and dissolve wash powered before adding sheets. I have hard water and no access to hot water for my washing machine just cold.
By Sandra
Are you buying the same brand each time?? I wonder if they are just not of good quality. Try setting the color first. When you get them, before you use them, wash in cold water and vinegar and a 1/2 cup of salt with NO SOAP. That will help set the color.
Does this only happen with sheets? Not on clothing?
Is there any chance that a pet is getting on the bed and wetting on the sheets? That will cause splotches and perhaps you are not noticing it until they are laundered?
I received an old sweater that was my grandfather's. It was originally white and his mother dyed it red, I'm sure with some kind of cheap home-dyeing kit, maybe Rit. I washed the sweater because it was dusty and it's bled and bled red dye everywhere. I've read about soaking in salt; does that actually work? Any other tips for setting the dye? I'm willing to do some experimenting. The sweater isn't particularly beautiful or complicated work, so it's more of a sentiment thing. Any help is appreciated!
By CG
Contact the Rit company for information. i am sure they would have a website. You may be able to find info just by googling "setting dye".
My brother bought a white cotton tunic with a red cotton cross stitched on it. Is there any way to wash it without the red bleeding on the white?
By N.Hale
I made an organic dye using flowers, but the color changes when i wash using detergent. How do I make the color permanent? The color of the dye originally was light red, but when I wash it in detergent, it turns blue. If I soak it in vinegar, it turns back to the original color again. How do I let the original color stay even when washing? Please help. Thanks
By Marie from Philippines
You need to use what is known as a mordant with natural dyes. The one I use is washing soda. After dyeing, rinse the fabric in a solution of water and washing soda.
What can I use to set the dye on a purchased skirt so I can wash it safely?
By Patty
I've heard that soaking it in cold water and salt works. Also I've heard the same for 1 cup of vinegar in cold water. But these methods may not work on cottons.
Rit sells a dye fixative. Maybe try the salt or vinegar, if the fabric still bleeds look into getting a dye fixative.
My niece bought me a homemade swimsuit cover from Cuba. It's red with cream knit edging. When I put it on the red stained my skin right away. What can I do to stop the red from going on to my skin? It's a beautiful top and I don't want to ruin it. Please help.
By Kristen
I always use a cold water and salt rinse. I am 75 and when I was a little kid not all "yard goods" were color fast so Mama always rinsed new fabric in cold salt water to set the dye. You can also use cold water and vinegar.
How do I prevent black bleeding into white on new black and white striped dress?
By Amanda E from Orange Park, FL
I have a jean sweat jacket and the blue dye got all over me. It's new, but I washed it once. How can I stop the dye from coming out?
By Jillian
