Fading fabric?

[Lynzee]

I have some beautiful floral fabric that I want to use, but the colors are too bright and vivid. I've tried hot water washes, but it's still too bright. Anyone have any ideas for fading it?

[Zuzu's Garden]

Thanks for asking this question, Lynz! :cool: I too have some fabric that I'd like to use for valances, but I'd like to fade it first to achieve a softer look.

Has anyone ever tried Rit Color Remover (http://www.ritdye.com/Fabric+Treatments.28.51.7.49.lasso)?

Zu

[Lisa S]

I'm interested to see what you find out. The only fabric I've ever faded was by accident. ;)

[Lynzee]

I'd settle for accidentally, Lisa! :D

I've never tried that, Zu. Someone mentioned it to me months ago, but I couldn't find any. Someone also told me to put it in direct sunlight, but it seems to me that would take much longer than I want to wait. I'm more into instant gratification these days. :D Wonder if peroxide would work? :confused:

[memmey]

Me too , me too. I want to wash my toile curtians in the loving room and clean my windows. I want the fabric to fade a little. It is too bright. Color remover will remove ALL the color won't it?
I was thinking hot water, cheap laundry powder and sunshine.
I need ideas too.

[shabbychick]

I seem to remember reading one of Rachel Ashwell's books where she said she took new fabric and laundered it several times with bleach (I don't remember how much) to fade it as much as she wanted it faded. I'd probably try that on a scrap of the fabric first to see how it works.

[Evelyn]

Just a guess....what about leaving it in direct sunlight for a week (probably won't be possible for Lisa since you are just down the road from me:))......or more? Sunlight and saltwater seem to be the only thing that has faded my fabrics.

Evelyn

[Lisa S]

So funny! So very funny!

[Lynzee]

I cut a small piece of the fabric yesterday and soaked it in bleach and hot water, but the fabric didn't fade at all. I typically don't buy/use bleach (septic system) so I bought some cheap stuff at the dollar store. Wondering if that might have been the problem? Am going to try the peroxide today. I've also heard that ammonia will fade fabrics. Hopefully I'll still have fabric left when I get through with all of these tests. :eek: :D

Memmey...From what I read yesterday, it does appear that the color remover will remove all of the color so the fabric is ready to dye.

It goes without saying that if I just loved this fabric as is, it would have faded during the very first wash! :rolleyes:

[ChapterTwo]

It goes without saying that if I just loved this fabric as is, it would have faded during the very first wash! :rolleyes:


Isn't that the truth, Lynzee? As I was reading all the posts, above, I was chuckling and thinking just that...Things we don't want to fade, FADE, and here, this color seems that it will stay the same 'til the end of time!

I would just use caution with the bleach, because it can tend to weaken fabric, too.
I looked around online, and found this entry...They were really talking about fading jeans, but I guess fading is fading...Anyway, they talk about using Sunlight Machine Dishwashing Powder!

USE Sunlight Machine Dishwashing Powder!

The main agents are Sodium carbonate and Sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate. Of these two agents, it's the Sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate that works to discharge the dye through oxidation. The carbonate alkalizes the pH, stabilizing the dihydrates reaction with the dye (it's basically a water softener). It also helps ensure proper chemical bonding between the dye and the fibers of the denim.

A quick check on the Household Products Database provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services website brought to light products still at market with these ingredients. <http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm> It looks like Sunlight Machine Dishwashing Powder has both of these agents and would be relatively safe to use at home.

I don't know if this product is readily available...I usually use Electrasol dishwashing products, but this post is from '09, so maybe it's worth looking for!

(I'm sorry I did something crazy with my purple/black fonts!)

[rubyslippers]

I think multiple, multiple, multiple washings (with subsequent ironing) can make fabrics softer - - just like your favorite clothes. Sometimes I feel like tablecloths, for example, are just too "stiff" ... I tend to launder tablecloths a lot and then iron them. The colors in home fabrics rarely fade, but sunlight would really be your best option. What about taking the fabric to a tanning bed or hanging it and blasting grow lights on it? (This comment was meant to be a joke; however, the more I think about it ... hee-hee).

[chyna]

What about doing the sunlight trick? Spray with lemon juice and lay out in the sunshine until you get the level of fade. As for the color remover, you could also just cut the time and not get the full removal. Just pull out every few minutes and check to see where you are in the process. Same concept as bleaching. :)

[annielinz]

If the fabric has any polyester in it, then it probably won't fade, however if its cotton this might work.

Heres from Martha Stewarts site:
Wear rubber gloves and an apron, and work outside or in a well-ventilated area.

1. You will need 3 large plastic storage bins. Combine 1 part chlorine bleach with 10 parts very hot water in the first bin. Fill the second bin with cold water. In the third bin, mix a chlorine neutralizer (available through specialty websites) with water, following the manufacturer's instructions. The neutralizer stops bleach from continuing to fade fabric and eliminates chlorine odors.

2. Run fabric under the tap in hot water. Then submerge the fabric in the first bin; watch it closely, keeping in mind that it will look brighter when wet than it will when it dries. The fading process takes anywhere from 10 seconds to 15 minutes. If you are unsure how long to soak the fabric, err on the side of caution. Add a little more bleach if you don't see results after 15 minutes. (Do not use more than 1 part bleach to 5 parts water.

3. Submerge the fabric in the bin of cold water, and swish it around, rinsing thoroughly. Wring it out.

4. Transfer fabric to the bin of chlorine neutralizer, and soak according to the manufacturer's instructions.

5. Launder the fabric with detergent, and dry it in the dryer.

First Published: June 2006

[Lynzee]

<sigh>

I think I am giving up on this fading idea. I soaked my fabric swatches in straight bleach this afternoon and they're still the same bright colors. :confused: :mad:

Unfortunately, we don't get enough sun through the trees here to amount to anything (but I can grow lots of moss and mushrooms!), so I don't think that would work either. :(

I am seriously toying with the idea of using the fabric wrong side out. :eek:

[Lisa S]

I think that's an inspired idea! Why not?

[Lynzee]

Why not?

I keep thinking the same thing, Lisa. The wrong side is exactly the shade I want for my pillows!

[annielinz]

There ya go, a perfect soulution.

[annielinz]

Wow, I need spell check today or less caffeine...solution is what I meant to type.

[chyna]

Lots of people suggest using the inside if you want the softer shade. I say why not?! What about a tea dip? Or would that not really work for what you want? Or maybe a white paint (watered down) soak?

that's it for my bright or softer ideas. :D

[Lynzee]

I am going to try using the inside of the fabric. Will let you know how it goes.

[anneandkita]

I do a fair deal of quilting, and if you've ever looked at watercolor quilts, they constantly use the "wrong" side of fabric to get the tonal match they want.

I was going to suggest it but it looks like you're already doing it! :) Can't wait to see how it works!