I've never used Retayne or Synthrapol, but if you have something bleed and immediately wash it again with a color catcher (DO NOT DRY FIRST!) that will get the color out.

Rit makes a color remover, but don't use that unless you want to remove all the colors! And my experience is that it may leave you with a different color instead of a removed color. I had a blue/tan/cream plaid fabric that something bled on and I washed it with the color remover and ended up with 3 shades of cream and nearly invisible plaid.

Donna

LOL Donna I washed one fabric so much trying to wash out the excess dye it was a completely different color.

I used an entire box of Color Catchers and they never came out clear. The fabrics was not cheap either so I used it in a denim raggedy.

I wash all fabric first. If I am concerned about a quilt I dry clean it. Hope this helps.

I have and use both but don't pretend to know any of the answers. I don't feel Retayne is unsafe to use as it is accepted by many people that I believe give good advice.
What was her objection to the formaldehyde? The quantity couldn't be that excessive and would be even more dilute after rinsing.

Caution: strong opinion ahead!

Unless it's a wrinkle-resistant fabric treatment, impregnated into the fibers so that it stays there, washing will remove formaldehyde. I don't think Retayne is an unsafe product to use and I don't think it leaves any meaningful amount of formaldehyde in the fabric. Formaldehyde is one of the most commonly used chemicals and we are all exposed to it daily - but mostly in small amounts. It most certainly can cause problems, including cancer, but the exposure from Retayne is minuscule compared to when you get every time you sit in your car, ride in an elevator, walk on carpeted floors or enter a store full of brand new, unwashed clothing. If you breathe outside in any city, you are breathing formaldehyde because it's present in auto exhaust. If you ever use a wood burning fireplace you've probably been exposed to pretty high levels. There are so many things to get into a panic about; this just doesn't seem like one of them.

Ditto, Kate. I've used both but I agree that a strong detergent like Orvis and color catchers do it for me. Remember you can use the color catcher over and over for several loads. I had one quilt bleed badly onto the white background (before I knew much about washing and hand dyed) and I used Rit color remover. It is just bleach and dulled the colors but did get the bleed out. So, in a pinch a person can use it if you know what you're doing.

Sorry to be such a dummy, but what are these products for? Are they supposed to set the color?

I would like to make a rag quilt using Modal Marbles Flannel in Burgundy and a white flannel .... I realize the burgundy is likely to run .... Would a prewash with Synthrapol followed by a wash using Raytene solve the running problem? Should I dry between washes or leave the fabric wet. This is to be a gift so I don't want any washing problems for either myself or the recipient.

Thanks for your help!

Ditto LoisF question....what are they for?
V

littlehelen (LoisF)

Here are two links which will explain Retayne and Synthrapol in detail ............

http://www.dharmatrading.com/chemicals/synthrapol-detergent.html

http://www.dharmatrading.com/chemicals/retayne.html

She'd better prepare to go naked, then, because almost all commercially made clothing and fabric are treated with this.

I have used Retayne after dyeing fabrics. It sets the color. I also have used it on runny fabrics. It works. You can wash the fabric afterwards to get out leftover chemicals.

And yes, all fabrics contain formaldehyde and other chemicals in processing. In fact, cotton farming uses more chemicals than any other crop. That's why you should pre-wash all fabrics before use. You breathe in these chemicals in the fabric stores and at your machine.