Name: Nancy

Message: I have a set of new dark red towels and would like to set the color as much as possible before I use them.  Is Retayne the best product to use for this application?  I assume I wouldn't use hot water when I apply it or do I have to?

Yes, Retayne is the best solution to towels that bleed in the laundry. Similar products are often used in the textile industry, which is one reason why dye bleeding in the laundry is not as frequent a problem as I recall it's having been when I was a child. It is possible that your towels have already been treated, if you have not yet seen them run.

When using Retayne, follow the instructions on the label. It is normally applied in hot water, so only items of the same color should be treated in one washing machine load or bucket. Afterwards wash in cool or lukewarm water to avoid stripping out the Retayne, which hot water may do.

You may be able to find Retayne at your local quilter's supply store or a fabric store such as Joann's. If not, you can mail-order it from almost any good dye supplier; see my list of Sources for Dyeing Supplies Around the World.

Fading of dyes over time can also be caused by the chlorine compounds used to treat your water. I have noticed significantly more fading since my municipality switched from chlorine to chloramine for disinfection. Using Anti-chlor (sodium or potassium metabisulfite) in the rinse water of the laundry, every time the items are washed, would undoubtedly reduce fading, but that's more trouble than I am willing to go to.

Fading due to light is an entirely different matter. Susceptibility to light can be avoided only by careful dye selection, not by any treatment that can be applied. Retayne and similar treatments against bleeding in the laundry can actually accelerate light fading! You must not leave your towels in direct sunlight, if you want to keep them from fading. Dry indoors, not on a sunny clothesline outdoors.


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