The other day I was asked pm'ed a question about vinegar vs. soda ash on silk using MX dyes. I want to post this "conversation"(w/ their permission given
) so everyone can benefit and hopefully add their experiences.
I want to dye some silk scarves, and someone told me that i should be soaking them in vinegar rather than soda ash. what is your opinion?
I've never used vinegar or other acid(o.k. maybe once or twice) and have never had an issue. The great thing about silk is that it will work with mx dyes with either the acid or the alkali, your choice.
Yes, an alkali is harsher than an acid and if silk is left to sit wet in a very basic solution for an extended period of time(I mean many days) it will begin to break down the fibers, but it will do this to cotton too.
I suppose it comes down to preference and experience. I've not had an issue previously and my habits have always involved using soda ash. I say if you are comfortable in your dyeing process using soda ash I see no reason to change this for use on silk.
if something (silk for example) has been tied up, soaked in soda ash, and then dried, is it ok to sit around for a long time in your opinion? I've had some soda soaked scarves that are dry sitting around since xmas time.
Your items are probably o.k. to dye. What I have done before when I have "found" things that were tied and soaked/dried a long while back is untie rinse and redo the tie-ing/soak process. I do this for 2 main reasons...to double check if there has been any degredation of fiber and also I usually can't remember what fold I did precisly and what I had in mind as for as colors etc
Kathy
