Dye-Lishus® FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Dye-Lishus® cotton, including mercerization, bleaching, mordanting, safety, and the special cellulose treatment process.
Is this cotton mercerized?
No. It has been scoured under alkaline conditions, but the alkalinity is not enough for mercerization to occur.
Is this cotton bleached?
No. The treated cotton, however, is easily bleached by soaking in hydrogen peroxide.
Will the mordant wash out if I wash it first?
No, the treatment is a permanent change to the structure of the cellulose; there is no mordant to wash out.
Can I mordant Dye-Lishus® cotton?
Yes; mordant with any cotton mordant.
How safe is it to handle this pretreated fabric? Are the chemicals proven safe for bare hands?
Very safe. The structure of the cellulose is changed, and although the cotton is put through a chemical treatment in order to do that, there is no residue left on the cotton. The fiber is Oekotex certifiable, and I have heard from chemically sensitive people that they have had no problem with it.
What mordant did you use?
There is actually not a mordant on the cotton. The cotton has been treated to alter the structure of the cellulose and the chemical is washed off. (The same is true of mercerized cotton--the cotton is treated and the chemical used to treat it is washed off.)
