PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.

Stripping colour from fabric

Hi

Wondered if someone on here might know whether I can strip colour without using harsh chemicals. I bought some muslin clothes for my baby which are not colourfast as they were going cheap, and I want to strip the colour so that they fade to white and I don't have to worry about dying the other washing.

Was thinking of soaking them and obviously it needs to be something gentle - was thinking maybe vinegar would work?

Any ideas peeps?

Comments

  • valk_scot
    valk_scot Posts: 5,290 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Bleach? That's the only thing that will get them all the way to white, assuming they're pure cotton. If you're lucky the thread will also be cotton and will bleach too, otherwise you'll end up with contrast stitching.
    Val.
  • irenee
    irenee Posts: 122 Forumite
    Vinegar is used to SET colours, not strip it out :)

    Soaking in biological powder may help a bit - but I would suggest trying oxygen bleaching - not such harsh chemicals and defintiely more ecologically-friendly

    Hanging to dry in bright sunlight might help too - the sun was used to help keep linens as white as possible in 'the old days'
  • Try washing them in Dylon Pre-Dye. This is a bleach-free colour stripper which is designed to be used before dyeing fabric another colour. It's pretty gentle on fabric compared to bleach and will remove any non-fast dye.
    "There may be a legal obligation to obey, but there will be no moral obligation to obey. When it comes to history, it will be the people who broke the law for freedom that will be remembered and honoured." --Rt. Hon. Tony Benn
  • boo81
    boo81 Posts: 654 Forumite
    Ah, thank you biteme - I might even have some of that!

    With them not being colourfast the colour should come out without much effort ( here's hoping!)

    Irenee - oops, assumed vinegar being acidic might help lol
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 597.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.5K Life & Family
  • 256.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.