Name: Mark
Message: Do blue dyes generally have an odor which is discernable? I'm using Pebeo Soie #24 and have notice that whenever I have used it either straight or mixed when i do the rinse after steaming I have a noticeable smell which is somewhat metallic. Also, it happens to have more excess rinsing out as well. Does this mean its just not fixing properly due to it being a bad or old batch, or are blue dyes different from the others?

It impossible to make any generalization at all about blue dyes. For example, one blue dye will have far more in common with a certain red dye than it has with any other blue dye.

The French silk dyes are known to be acid dyes, but all other information about them is a jealously guarded secret. I have information on fifteen completely different blue acid dyes on my lightfastness page, but the Pebeo Soie #24 could contain any of these, or a mixture of them, or other acid dyes altogether.

I have not myself used Pebeo Soie #24. I would say that your best bet is to call the company from which you bought the dye, and ask them this question. (They should bear the expense of providing technical support, anyway, since they are the ones who made the profit from selling the dye!) It is possible that posting on the DyersLIST mailing list (see my groups and mailing lists page for information on joining) might lead you to someone else who uses this same dye; it is worth asking there, but you really should call your dye retailer first.

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