Retayne is the only treatment you can use that will really solve the problem of a garment whose dye was not properly set. Similar products are widely used in the textile industry.
Sometimes, non-dyers will recommend that you soak your new garments in salt or vinegar to "set" the dye. Unfortunately, neither salt nor vinegar can set commercial dye; the only value to the process is as an extra washing that helps to remove some of the extra dye. Retayne is far more effective, making colors last much longer, even after many washings.
Retayne is a dye fixative that will set most commercial dyes. It contains positively-charged particles which will stick to the negative particles of most dyes, helping to fix them in place in your fabric. Dyes that would otherwise bleed a little in every washing become safe in the laundry after treatment with Retayne. Retayne is extremely valuable for quilters who must make sure that their differently colored fabrics will not bleed onto each other when a quilt is washed. It is essential after dyeing with all-purpose dye, such as Rit dye, which would otherwise tend to bleed in the laundry. (It is not necessary for use with fiber reactive dyes, such as Procion MX dyes.)
There are two downsides. One is that the indigo dye used in blue denim cannot be fixed with this sort of treatment, because indigo dye molecules lack a negative charge for the fixtive in Retayne to stick to. The other problem is that cationic dye fixatives tend to increase the fading that is caused by bright light. Clothing that has been treated with Retayne should probably be dried indoors, not in direct sunlight. All dyes will fade if exposed to bright light long enough, but sunlight may fade them a little more quickly after they have been treated with a commercial dye fixative.
Retayne is applied in the washing machine or a large container of water, so it cannot be used to set a color that will run very badly even the first time it is immersed in water.
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I buy and sell antique linens. A lot of estate linens have been packed away for years and were never washed. Long time storage causes fold lines and spots from the starch, so I have to wash them so they are appealing to customers, who want them nice and fresh. I had trouble with colors running into each other before using Retayne, even when hand washing. The most important articles are vintage quilts, where there are dozens of colors in one quilt. Since using Retayne I've had no trouble. And I do use cold water, but I make sure the Retayne is added and given a chance to mix in the water before I add the quilt. I also add Woolite and wash on as short a cycle as possible if the items are delicate. The Retayne has never failed me. Red material sitting right next to white material has not run.
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Retayne is the only treatment you can buy that will really solve the problem of a garment whose dye was not properly set. Similar products are widely used in the textile industry.
Sometimes, non-dyers will recommend that you soak your new garments in salt or vinegar to "set" the dye. Unfortunately, neither salt nor vinegar can set commercial dye; the only value to the process is as an extra washing that helps to remove some of the extra dye. Retayne is far more effective, making colors last much longer, even after many washings.
Retayne is a dye fixative that will set most commercial dyes. It contains positively-charged particles which will stick to the negative particles of most dyes, helping to fix them in place in your fabric. Dyes that would otherwise bleed a little in every washing become safe in the laundry after treatment with Retayne. Retayne is extremely valuable for quilters who must make sure that their differently colored fabrics will not bleed onto each other when a quilt is washed. It is essential after dyeing with all-purpose dye, such as Rit dye, which would otherwise tend to bleed in the laundry. (It is not necessary for use with fiber reactive dyes, such as Procion MX dyes.)
There are two downsides. One is that the indigo dye used in blue denim cannot be fixed with this sort of treatment, because indigo dye molecules lack a negative charge for the fixtive in Retayne to stick to. The other problem is that cationic dye fixatives tend to increase the fading that is caused by bright light. Clothing that has been treated with Retayne should probably be dried indoors, not in direct sunlight. All dyes will fade if exposed to bright light long enough, but sunlight may fade them a little more quickly after they have been treated with a commercial dye fixative.
Retayne is applied in the washing machine or a large container of water, so it cannot be used to set a color that will run very badly even the first time it is immersed in water.
Honest reviews on G&K Craft Retayne Color Fixative, 4-Ounce
I heard about this product on a sewing yahoo goop. It really does help set colors on cotton fabric. Your clothingor fabric needs to be "soaked" in this product before you wear/use the item. You dilute the product in hot water and then agitate the fabric/clothing for a short time. I have used it on cottons, I embroider on or quilt, and dark jeans. I haven't had the fabic/clothes for too long but it looks very good dark colors still holding.
I have a front load washer, so since the machine senses how much fabric is in the machine and how much water is needed, I start the fabric in a large pan with hot water and Retayne. Then I turn on my washer and move wet fabric to washer. Just as it's starting to fill with water I had the remainder of the water with Retayne to soak and agitate for about 20 minutes. If you have a traditional washer it will be much easier for you.
You will use about 1 tablespoon per yard of fabric. So Retayne may seem expensive initially, but you can do quite a bit with one bottle, if it's for home use. If you have a lot of dark, new clothes or a small business, you will want the 16 oz or larger bottle.
For me, "setting" the colors so they don't bleed is worth the effort. I usually do several clothing or fabric items at one time and I've not had any problems so far.
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I tried using the product on 14 yards of red material. It still bled after applying retayne as the instructions stated. I spent hours trying to rub off the red dye from the inside of my washer and dryer. It was a mess!
