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pburch
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« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2007, 03:26:42 AM » |
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I fill the washing machine with cool water and, optionally, a few teaspoons of Synthrapol (but no other detergent), then stand over the washer with a pair of child's blunt-ended scissors to snip the rubber bands and drop the unrinsed garments right in.
Right when the rinse is about to kick in, when the load has drained, I reset to the beginning of the cycle and turn on the hot water, measured with a thermometer to be 140°, adding Synthrapol or other detergent. Since my washer inexplicably adds some cool water even on the hot setting, in a misguided effort at saving energy, I turn off the cool water tap so that only hot water can flow into the machine. I repeat the hot wash two or three times, then turn the cool water back on to allow rinsing to complete. To maximize the effects of the hot water, I may leave the garments to soak in the hot water for some time, during the second hot cycle.
This method requires that the dye be allowed to fully react first, with more time and/or warmth than is really needed for the dye to bond to the fiber. It is very important that every last bit of the dye have fully reacted with either fiber or water, so that colors do not migrate in the rinse and stain the fabric in places where they are not wanted. If six hours is sufficient, then leave the dye on the garments overnight. If overnight is barely enough, due to cool temperatures, then wrap each garment in plastic, separately, and bring it into a warmer place overnight. An excess of time for the dye reaction prevents permanent backstaining.
Paula
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