Fabrics with naturally dyed patterns require special care to maintain their color and texture. In comparison to synthetic dyes, natural dyes are derived from plant, mineral or insect sources which makes them easily degraded by light, heat, and chemicals. As a result, batik and tie dye fabrics treated with natural colors (dyes) require special care to ensure that the colors remain vibrant for as long as possible.
Tie Dye Fabric Art
These 9 tips will help prevent damage to your tie dye and batik fabrics.
1. Test for Colorfastness
Before washing dyed fabrics, test them for colorfastness by wetting a small area and rubbing it with a white cloth. If the dye transfers onto the cloth, your fabric may bleed during washing. If this happens, it may be best to wash your fabric separately from other clothes.
2. Wash Separately
To avoid staining other clothes in the wash, always wash dyed fabrics separately. This prevents the fabric’s dye from bleeding or transferring onto other clothes.
3. Wash Infrequently
Since fabrics treated with natural dyes tend to bleed even after multiple washes, it is important to wash such fabrics as infrequently as possible to prevent fading. Use cold water and a gentle, dye-friendly detergent for washing.
4. Avoid Harsh Detergents
Harsh detergents, bleach and fabric softener cause fading and discoloration by stripping dyes from fabrics. As a substitute, use a gentle detergent that is specifically formulated for use with natural dyes. A recommended alternative is to use a natural whitening agent like baking soda or white vinegar to brighten stains on dyed fabrics.
5. Handle with Care
During handwashing, avoid rubbing or twisting the tie dye fabric vigorously, as this can damage the fibers or cause the dye to bleed. When it is necessary to wash your batiks, hand washing in cold water is the best method. Be sure to avoid rubbing or twisting vigorously, as this can cause the wax to crack and damage the batik.
6. Air Dry
Avoid using a high heat dryer for dyed fabrics as the heat can cause the dye to fade or bleed. For dyed batiks, the heat can cause the wax to melt or crack, thereby ruining the patterns on the fabric. To prevent damage, hang dyed fabric to air dry.
7. Iron Carefully
If you must iron your dyed fabric, be sure to do so on the reverse side, using a low heat setting. For batiks, make sure not to iron over any wax that may be present, as this can cause the wax to melt and ruin the pattern.
8. Avoid Direct Heat
Natural dyes are sensitive to heat, so it is important to avoid exposure to direct heat from sunlight, radiators, or heaters. Exposure to heat will cause them to fade and lose vitality.
9. Store Carefully
When storing your naturally dyed fabrics, be sure to fold them carefully to prevent creases that are difficult to remove. Avoid storing them in plastic bags, as this can trap moisture and cause growth of mold or mildew on your fabric. Also, be sure to keep them out of direct light, to prevent fading while in storage. To guarantee longevity of your dyed fabrics, make sure to store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sources of heat and light.
Closing Statement
These 9 tips, if implemented will certainly help prevent damage to your naturally dyed fabrics and keep them looking elegant and colorful.
Feel free to leave a comment or share your experiences with caring for batik and tie dye fabrics and clothing. Subscribe to join our mailing list and get updates on the Quatrenz Blog.
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