Synthrapol and Retayane when to use it??

[michelleslongarm]

Could someone please explain when and why you use these products.

Is Retayne for preventing the dyes in fabric from bleeding with normal washing of quilt??

Is Synthrapol to help release the dye that has bled into other fabrics on the quilt after a wash??

Do you use these for every quilt or just questionable colors??

Thanks Michelle

[Bonnie]

Synthrapol is used to suspend and carry excess dye from cotton fiber. It removes any unfixed or unreacted dye to keep it from redepositing dye onto areas of the fabric that you don't want to be stained. It is recommended for use as a pre wash to remove excess dye (especially in reds and blues), sizing, dirt and oils. Please note: It only works on fibre reactive dyes, which is generally what is used in quilting fabric. If you have clothing that has run, it may be a direct dye which will not respond to Synthrapol. There are other specialty chemicals which may help with dyes running on clothing fabric. It is also used should you have a quilt run in the first wash...wash again with this and there is a GOOD chance it will come out.

Retayne is used to set dye. For example, if you printed a text message on fabric, you can use retayne to to set it. If you have a piece of fabric you know will fade, you can use retayne to keep fading to a minimum. If you use this after a quilts runs, you have a good chance of setting in the runs and they will not come out.

[bobbi]

Bonnie B! You are just a wealth of information! Thanks!

[jacksong]

I believe if you use Oxyclean with the synthrapol, it will take care of the dye that is released into the water so that it doesn't bleed back into the fabric. I use both when I wash my quilts. I've had great results so far.