Excuse Me, Is Your Fabric Running?
May 15, 2009 by Chloe Findlay-Harder
Filed under Home & Living
I had the funniest experience in a fabric store today. I went in to pick up a couple of patterns and of course, had to take a look through the bargain bin 
I found a gorgeous cream-colored drapery-weight fabric, covered with a red paisley print. It’s going to coordinate beautifully with my living room, so I bought several yards.
The unwashed fabric
The clerk was having hard time getting the fabric folded nicely, so I said not to worry about it, I’m going to toss it into the washing machine as soon as I get home.
Well! I might as well have said that I was going to light it on fire in the middle of the street. The poor woman was absolutely horrified that I was going to wash my fabric.
I explained that I have an allergic reaction to fabric sizing, and it’s much better for me to wash it, rather than put up with a red, itchy rash and feeling like I have the flu anytime I handle the fabric.
She still was shocked that I would wash it – and of course, there’s the fact that I have three dogs, anything in my house needs to be washed!
I’ve washed hundreds of pieces of fabric over the years, and not once have I had any trouble with dye running. There are a few things you can do to help – but in general, I don’t worry about it
- First of all, don’t use hot water – the hotter the water, the more likely your fabric is to run.
- Don’t let the fabric soak in water and soap.
- Take the fabric out of the washing machine as soon as it’s finished and either dry it or hang it up.
- If you’re really concerned about the dye running, you can try this old trick. Make a solution of 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup vinegar dissolved in a half gallon of cold water. Soak your fabric in it for about 30 minutes and wash as normal.
I’ve got my fabric in the washing machine right now, and I’ll post another photo later this afternoon when it’s dry.
Just remember… use these tips at your own risk!
image: C Findlay-Harder
wow, it is really a wonderful tip in maintaining drapery fabrics.. The above window shows a fantastic drapery will cute color combination’s.. Yes we need to keep our things and materials clean for that we use some ideas like this….
Thank you very much you have given a useful information over the fabrics washing…
Although this entry may be too old to garner much response, I still needed to throw my 2 cents in. I know that my mom has used just salt and cold water to stop colors from running, but I have had the best luck with just vinegar. I put the fabric/garment in the washing machine with cold water, a tiny touch of detergent and about 3/4 cup vinegar. I start my washer, but leave the lid up – so the machine quits before it spins out. I leave it for about 1/2 hour (or however long it is before I remember it’s in there) and then close the lid and let the cycle finish with a cold rinse.
I do this to every piece of clothing that my family gets, except whites which I just wash normally. I’m not allergic to the sizing per se, but I can’t stand the feel of the material before it gets washed out. I also can’t stand the thought of wearing something that someone else may have tried on unless I wash it first. Um, yuck.
As for fabric, I figure if I don’t wash it before sewing it, it will invariably shrink, but not evenly. I figure if I am going to put the time and effort into creating something, why take that chance?
Thanks for the tip Angela! I’m definitely with you on pre-washing everything – why take the chance of the fabric ruining all your hard work!