Name: connie
Message: hi I just tye dyed 22 projects and heard about synthrapol. I live in a small town.....and I can't find it....Is there any thing else I can use to keep my colors from bleeding?

Synthrapol does not keep colors from bleeding. It's just a good brightener-free detergent. What keeps your colors from bleeding is using the right kind of dye. Never use all-purpose dye, such as Rit dye, for tie-dyeing.

If you use proper fiber-reactive dye for tie-dyeing, such as Procion MX dye, the soda ash sets the dye. Washing two or three times in very hot water is what removes the excess unattached dye. Synthrapol is nice for this step, but not essential. Rinse the projects in cool water before washing in hot water.

If you made the huge mistake of tie-dyeing with all-purpose dye, you will need to buy a special dye fixative such as Retayne. Buy this by mail-order from any good dye supplier. Buy good fiber reactive dye by mail-order from the same companies. You can order Synthrapol, too, if you like. See Sources for Dyeing Supplies Around the World for a list of different companies that you can buy your dyes and dyeing supplies from, by mail order.

For more information on how to keep your tie-dyes from bleeding, see the FAQs on my web site:

o "What is Synthrapol? Is there any substitute?"

o "How can I fix the shirts I just tie-dyed with Rit so that they'll quit bleeding in the wash and stay bright?"

o "What is Retayne? Commercial Dye Fixatives"  


(Please help support this web site. Thank you.)