Dharma Professional Textile Detergent

What happened to Synthrapol? Nothing actually, but there was a scare...

What's the deal with this #PTD stuff? Read on, and learn...

At one point the manufacturer of Synthrapol told us they were completely discontinuing it. Just like that, Synthrapol is no more! After freaking out in the office for about 30 minutes, we set about working with a respected detergents chemist to make a viable substitute. Since Synthrapol has always been one of those things most dyers would never be without, we didn't want our customers to be left high and dry! So we managed to develop an industrial strength, non-toxic, alcohol free, solvent free, more environmentally friendly detergent that works as well as Synthrapol, and it's less expensive to boot! Enter Dharma Professional Textile Detergent.

After thoroughly testing the product ourselves for pre-washing, getting out oils, dye washout, etc, we then had one of our top tie-dye customers test production scale usage doing a 3-way, blind, side by side test - Synthrapol, a replacement we were offered by the manufacturer, and our new non-toxic Professional Textile Detergent. Our customer liked the results of our product as well as he did Synthrapol, and enjoyed not having to smell the alcohol fumes. With the proper normal rinsing, washing in hot water with the new detergent, his tie-dyes came out brilliantly, and the white areas were still white, which is the ultimate test of any dye-house detergent.

Of course, the manufacturer of Synthrapol gave us a call soon after the "big scare" to let us know that it was all a hoax! Synthrapol is not discontinued, it will be available for the foreseeable future. So, since we put the time, energy and money into developing a non-toxic alternative to Synthrapol we are offering it as well.

Use is exactly the same as Synthrapol - 1/4 cup per washing machine load, rayon, hemp, etc. and 1/8 cup (1 oz) for silks or front loading wash machines. Best used with HOT (140ºF or higher) water, both as a pre-wash to clean and prepare fabric for dyeing, get rid of fingerprints, oils, silk worm gum, and other things that cause the dye not to adhere well, and as an after-wash to get the excess dyes out. Also used, in the case of tie-dye, batik, or other situations where multiple colors are involved, to hold the dye out in suspension so it doesn't re-deposit where it isn't wanted. Gets out excess dye better and faster than normal household detergents so that items are safe to wash with others in the future.

This detergent works best with HOT water, when washing out excess dye, particularly Fiber Reactive Dye. You are getting out the excess loose dye molecules that have not been chemically bonded to the fabric. This is a good thing! Then you can rest asssured that the dye won't bleed on you, or the family underwear, the next time you wash it. Hot water is also best for the pre-washing we discuss below. Acid Dyes for wool and silk are a different story - hot water can actually break the bonds of the acid dye and cause more washout of color than you would want. Wash wools and silks dyed with Acid Dyes in cool to warm water.

Another Dharma step forward towards a toxic free world!