posted on August 29, 2000 08:10:20 AM new
Can stains from running dye removed from fabric?
Also, there was an older post about some stain remover called Wynk, I think? I looked all over for that post, I don't think I'm spelling the product name right?
posted on August 29, 2000 08:18:19 AM new
hm..... could you be thinking of Retayne? That is a product sold to keep dye from running in the first place, not to remove stains.
Two suggestions: Synthrapol, which is sold in quilt shops and by mail from dharmatrading.com, and Dye Magnet, found in most larger supermarkets in the laundry section.
I hope that one of them works for you.
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not SilkMoth anywhere but here
posted on August 29, 2000 08:19:06 AM new
Whenever I have *any* kind of stain I use Oxy-Clean. It's a powder, you put a little bit in hot water, it bubbles and you soak the garment (or part of the garment) in it. Works every time for me! I've gotten out all kinds of stains that nothing else would get out! You could even put it in your wash and it's safe for all fabrics & colors except silk or wool. I bought a tub at our state fair last year but I believe you can also get it at Kmart now.
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The only place you'll find success before work is in the dictionary.
posted on August 29, 2000 09:23:31 AM new
WINK! is specifically for ink stains (works great--takes ballpoint out, even on delicate
fabrics!). It comes in "stick" form (like a glue stick). I have no idea where to get it--my current stick is several years old. You might also try a product called Carbona Color Run Remover, which you can usually get in the laundry section of Wal-Mart or your grocery store. Warning: a lot of these dye removers work on ALL dyes, not just the runs, so if your base fabric is not white, the remover could bleach out the whole article.
I got bad dye stains out of a peach-colored cotton towel, but what I had left was a cream-colored cotton towel! (This was with the above-mentioned Carbona Color Run Remover--I think it's primarily intended to fix dye runs when you end up with a white laundry load that's now pink because of one errant sock, etc.) Always test in an inconspicuous place first.
posted on August 29, 2000 09:24:49 AM new
I've also had god luck with another stick product called MAGIC WAND stain remover. Same age as my WINK remover, and I don't know where to get more. Wish I did, 'cause it works better than Shout, Spray'n'Wash, and similar contemporary products!
posted on August 29, 2000 12:28:18 PM new
Actually, "Wynk" is "Whink", and is a solution of oxalic acid (also in a product I think is called "Barkeeper's Friend". If memory serves, this is also the primary ingredient in "Biz". I don't know about "Wink", but if it's supposed to get out ink, it's something alcohol-based.
Neither will do anything for running dye, which is not a "stain" but is caused by what we'll call "rogue" dye molecules that haven't fastned on to the fiber. (Commercial dyes actually react WITH the fiber in question, rather than just "stick to" the fiber like Rit or paint.) As long as those unattached molecules are there, you are SOL and the article will continue to bleed. If you use something like Oxy-Clean or the Carbona product, as noted you're in danger of removing color, period, from the entire item.
What you need is to wash the item in "Synthrapol," which is a commercial detergent that suspends the "rogue" dye molecules in the water until you wash 'em down the drain. If you are fortunate this will remove the "runs" from the undyed fabric (since there's no actual chemical reaction, they're just sitting there looking ugly, not really attached).
THEN you need to use "Retayne" to stick any remaining dye molecules where they're supposed to be.
Both are available through dharmatrading.com, which is absolutely the best place ANYwhere for textile colors. Cheap, nice, fast.
This is not a sure-fire fixit, but IMHO it's your best shot.
BTW, what's the fiber content? The dye color? And are these, say, separate pieces, one that's run from one to the other, or is the running within the same fabric?
posted on August 29, 2000 03:30:25 PM new
Thanks all, I've made note of all the methods and products and will pass them on to my customer.
It all started when one of my customers emailed me asking if I knew how to remove running dye stains from Guatemalan fabric her father had brought back from that country. I guess she thought I might know, because I do sell lots of Mayan textiles.
She has this 'segundo' material which is a cheaper hand woven cotton cloth from Guatemala. She didn't say which colors, but I'm assuming the cloth was multi colored, as most Guatemalan textiles are. BTW, segundo material is known for running dye, whereas 'primero' material colors do not run--I deal mainly in primero.
The way the Maya deal with segundo is to just let the dye run and whatever happens is enjoyed. I have a great segundo patchwork quilt that has brown color dye overrunning throughout the whole piece. Now the piece has a nice autumn feel to it, and we think it looks nice.
She says if she can't get the 'rogue' color out, she will just leave it and enjoy it--genuine Maya style!
Thanks for taking the time to post your replies. There are some things I'm going to try on some of my own personal laundry problems--rust, sweat, curry stains, etc.
posted on August 29, 2000 03:48:12 PM new
My theory.
*If it's ruined, you can't ruin it again.*
BLEACH the heck out of it. You would be surprised at what I have slavaged...not always exactly the same original color...but still very nice in a different shade. I have BLEACHED 20 year old kool-aid from a taffeta gown and had it come out PERFECT.
posted on August 29, 2000 03:49:59 PM newHCQ: Even though this wasn't mentioned, I'm curious: Would she still be able to get out the running dye if the article had gone through the dryer or would the head set the dye?
. If memory serves, this is also the primary ingredient in "Biz". I don't know about "Wink", but if it's supposed to get out ink, it's something alcohol-based.