Dried out soda soaked fabric and shirts

[steve]

Last fall, I folded and soaked several shirts and some fabric. I set them out to dry as I usually do. I got too busy working with Michael and I was unable to find the time to dye them.

Meanwhile, they sat out in the garage over the winter. Has anyone done anything similar? What were the results?

Paula--do you have any idea how the dried soda ash might affect the cotton fabric over such a period of time?

Steve

[tiedyejudy]

Hi, Steve.  I have had a similar experience.  I dyed some of the dried out items, and others I untied and re-laundered.  The only thing I noticed is that it is harder to get the dye to soak into the garment when it is totally dry.  As a result, you get more areas that are lighter and slightly grainy looking.  I have also heard that prolonged exposure to the soda ash rots the garments, but I haven't found that to be a problem yet.  Hope that helps!

Judy

[pburch]

I'd guess that they will probably be okay. (Prolonged exposure to acid would be a different story.)

Paula

[LiveFreeorDye]

I had some tied, damp, soda-ashed garments that sat in my garage fridge for about 6 months.  They were fine when I dyed them.

take it easy
Sue

[steve]

I had some tied, damp, soda-ashed garments that sat in my garage fridge for about 6 months.  They were fine when I dyed them.

take it easy
Sue

I've left them for a month or so, but never this long! If yours were okay sitting wet for 6 months. then mine which sat dry should be fine.

Thanks goodness, because I have quite a bit tied up! I also found a bucket of soda ash solution with two shirts in it that had frozen solid over the winter. They should be thawed now!

Steve

[Kathy]

Thanks goodness, because I have quite a bit tied up! I also found a bucket of soda ash solution with two shirts in it that had frozen solid over the winter. They should be thawed now!
Steve

Frozen solid, huh!
I hear you on finding multiple tied, soda soaked, and dried items that have been hanging around for awhile. Life happens, especially with kids in the picture, thank goodness there's leyway room in tied items

Kathy[/quote]

[LiveFreeorDye]

Tie Dye - A perfect family art form!  

Sue