Dharma Dye Fixative Instructions

General Information and Use

Dharma Dye Fixative is a commercial grade product that increases washfastness, wetfastness, resistance to perspiration staining, and resistance to seawater fading. It works with several kinds of dye and any natural fabric or blend. It is particularly useful to quilters when purchased fabrics "bleed" — meaning there is excess dye still on the fabric. This product can often fix these loose dyes to prevent color bleeding in the future. Test if possible, as it doesn't work on all dyes.

You can also use this product to add washfastness to your own dyeing. It works great with Dharma Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes as an after-soak. It is not a substitute for normal fixatives like Soda Ash — it is used after the dyeing process. We highly recommend this product when dyeing black solid colors to slow down fading. When using on solid colors, apply it after draining the dye bath but before rinsing and washing.

Directions for Use

For solid colored fabrics, use 1 oz of Dharma Dye Fixative per 1 lb of fabric in a HOT water soak for 30 minutes — after the dye bath and before rinsing and washing. Then wash in hot water and Dharma Dyers Detergent to remove any remaining unfixed dye. For best results, the rinse should have a pH of about 7. Reduces how much Fiber Reactive dye comes out in the rinse considerably — including Procion-H after steaming — thereby enhancing the final depth of color.

To enhance or retain more color in tie-dyes or other multicolored items, wash out the excess dye first (rinse under running water, then wash in hot water with Dharma Dyers Detergent). Then use this product in a COOL bath, soaking for 15 minutes with 1 oz of Dharma Dye Fixative, then rinse and dry.

Additional Uses

Does a great job with fabric that's been dyed with indigo!

Dharma's Take

Well worth the extra rinse!