Retayne is not a detergent. It's a fabric treatment that removes fugitive dyes after a colour has run from one item to another. It's not suitable for washing a dirty hoodie.

I heard a lot about Retayne but never used one. I bought a hoodie at cools a few weeks ago and it's dirty now. Maybe I should try Retayne this time, and I hope it would not damage the fabric.

I have a front-loading washer, so I use Retayne to treat my fabrics in the sink. I let the fabric soak for about half an hour in hot water and Retayne, then rinse in cold water and throw it in the dryer. I would never try to do this with a finished quilt. For one thing, it would be too big, and for another, I never take fabrics into my sewing room until they have been washed and dried.

Hi Tata,
Using Retayne on a completed quilt in a front-loading washer might not be a good idea. I wouldn't do it.

The folks "in the know" at Dharma Trading, write on their website:
"Use this product to 'fix' dyes in commercially purchased solid colored cotton fabrics or clothing to prevent color bleeding during washing. Also use to add washfastness to your own dyeing. Particularly valuable to quilters. Soak fabrics in Retayne before washing them for the first time. Use one teaspoon per yard of fabric in a HOT (at least 140º F) soak for 20-30 minutes, with enough water to cover the fabric, then wash in hot water and Synthrapol to get out any remaining, unfixed dye. If you don't do this last step with the Synthrapol, then only wash in cool water rinse and cool water for the life of the fabric. You do risk some fading when using the Synthrapol and hot water, as it will remove any remaining "fugitive" dye.

Paula Burch, dye expert at pburch.net , says there is not enough water in front-loading HE washers to treat fabrics with Retayne.

Why do you want to use Retayne on your large finished quilt?

Judy Austin

I keep looking but have yet to find using Retayne in a front loader with a large finished quilt. Someone must have done it with success or NOT.
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