Using a Laundry Color Catcher When Preparing Fabric

When it comes to sewing, many people like to pre-wash their fabrics. Whether you are washing a fabric that has many different colors on it or you want to wash multiple fabrics at once, Tara Rex shares with you a product that can prevent the colors in the fabric from running.

Washing Fabric

There are several different brands of laundry color catchers on the market today like the ones Tara shows. They can be referred to as either laundry color catchers or dye grabbers, but they essentially work the same way. As Tara shows, they are small sheets that look similar to dryer sheets or small towels that are added with the fabric as it is washed.

Any color or dye that comes off of the fabric while it is being washed is absorbed by the laundry color catcher. In some cases it can then be reused, or it can be disposed. These products can also be used after you are finished sewing fabrics too, as well as used on any other garment, blanket or quilt you wash.

Other Options

Another option to a laundry color catcher is a liquid solution that helps remove excess dye. There are several names and brands out there, like Synthrapol, but they all achieve a similar result. The liquid detergent is added to the wash with your fabric and removes any excess dye that is not completely bonded to the fabric.

Doing this while pre-washing your fabric will ensure that once the fabric is used in a project, colors will not run with repeated laundering. These products can also be used when washing projects after they have been completed to help keep any dyes that may come off the fabric from staining any other areas.