Testing Hacks to Stop Fading in Cotton Yarn!

[@MaryCochrane]

Nice to see you again, Margaret. This was just what I needed and it showed up. I’ve lost track of people over the last couple of years. Love from Ontario, Canada ❤❤❤

[@KatarinaS.]

Thanks for running this experiment for us. I wonder if the vinegar would've worked better had you used more, like at least 50/50. Or what if you mixed the salt and vinegar with some water and tried that.

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Wow, I really appreciate the time and effort you put into the test. Thank you for sharing your results. Coooooool video!

[@margaret.olander]

Thanks, Betty Jo! I love doing things like this and now I know the most important takeaway which is that if the manufacturer doesn't do it's part, then we can't "save" it here at home!

[@smmsjw]

This video was certainly a labor of love for all your subscribers! Bravo bravo Margaret love you!

[@margaret.olander]

Yes it was! And now I want to repeat the experiment with different conditions.... hmmm.... (Hope you're feeling better!)

[@KazAussieYarnaholic]

You did a fantastic and thorough "home" job here Margaret. Very interesting results indeed. Thank you for sharing ☺🇦🇺

[@margaret.olander]

I loved the process so thank you for letting me share it with you!

[@anitaashley8946]

I love all the testing you do, giving us information that we don’t usually get. Thank you. So great to see you!!!♥️

[@margaret.olander]

Thanks, Anita! Glad I have something to share that you can use!

[@stefaniestaniak4329]

Great experiment. And, thanks for putting in all that work. I remember my mom putting a cup of vinegar in the wash machine and then washing her knits and fabric sewn projects (not at the same time, of course!). Now I don’t remember the end results, but she swore by it. And as far as I can tell with your experiment, the vinegar solution seemed to work the best. At least as far as kitchen textiles go, it would be the one I would choose. Thanks again.

[@margaret.olander]

I think it worked best, too, albeit marginally. I bet if I had hand washed the vinegar one separately, it would have performed even better because the others wouldn't have bled all over it. My mother said the same thing about vinegar in the wash but after doing this experiment and reading the science we have available to us today, I really don't think one cup in the wash made any difference. 🙊

[@lindadaley7469]

I don't use hot water for anything. Between washing with laundry soap and the heat from the dryer, I haven't killed anyone with germs yet! lol!

[@margaret.olander]

Well, I just can't do that because I know too much after a college biology class that freaked me out. Plus, when all the kids were at home, Tucker used to travel a lot for work and couldn't afford to get sick. So if the kids got a bug, I had/have this whole protocol to keep it from being passed around to other family members and I'm happy to say I have a 100% success rate! And since we're most contagious BEFORE we actually show symptoms with certain bugs (like the flu or strep, for example) it seemed best just to err on the side of caution and practice preventative measures all year round.

[@maggie2sticks717]

Heat and sunshine seems to be a good disinfectant! I'm with you, never been sick from not using hot water to wash clothes. Hot water breaks down the fibers and makes clothes not last very long.

[@margaret.olander]

Sunshine heat DOES work, too! Unfortunately, I've never lived in a place that allowed clotheslines. 😳

[@debraklein2649]

Great experiment Margaret. Thank you for taking the time out to do it.

[@margaret.olander]

It was fun, Debra! Thanks for watching!

[@brad8787]

Love your videos there really helpful for a new knitter/ chrocheter.... keep doing what your doing your amazing💛💛

[@margaret.olander]

What a nice compliment! Thank you, Stormy!

[@lindacornelius3451]

Thank you Margaret for taking the time to do all of that for all of us so far nothing works is that correct is that what I’m getting out of all of this really

[@margaret.olander]

You're right, Linda... IF you see any noticeable difference, it's not enough to justify the effort.

[@cyndihanson157]

Very informative and interesting! Thanks Margaret!!

[@margaret.olander]

Thanks, Cyndi! It was fun!

[@krazedvintagemodel]

The variable I was thinking of is the water - municipal (city water), chlorinated, fluoride added, well water, spring water, etc. I'm echoing Tucker. Dish cloths fade. Make them white or undyed. I love you Miss Margaret. Good job. Thank you.

[@margaret.olander]

YES, Kay!!! There are TONS of variables which is a major reason why my kitchen experiment isn't actually deemed proper BUT I really did find it interesting!

[@SettasPlace]

Cool science project Margaret!😁🧶🧶🧶

[@margaret.olander]

Thanks, Setta! Good ol' science in the kitchen!

[@themtnbiker]

Very informative and well done, Margaret! Thank you for taking the time to conduct these "experiments". I was hopeful but, alas, still major bleeding and fading. I usually only use this cotton for dishcloths and I use bleach in my dishwater (if I have prepared chicken or poultry), so I often have faded cloths. Sigh As always, enjoyed watching.

[@margaret.olander]

You know, Martha... Tucker said it best: Who cares if a dishcloth fades?!

[@like90]

I always enjoy when you do these sorts of videos. I've always wondered if any of these fading hacks work.

[@margaret.olander]

Glad you like them! I had fun with it!

[@katrinascreationscrafting]

Thank you for doing all of the testing. All of my dish cloths are various shades of dingy gray. It is frustrating.

[@margaret.olander]

Well, in the wise words of Tucker... "Who cares if a dishcloth is faded?" Hahaha!

[@CindyKinney]

Very interesting, Margaret. As always, thanks for sharing your experiments with us. Take care, dear friend, and stay well.

[@margaret.olander]

Thanks, Cindy! Glad to have people to share this stuff with... well, people who CARE at least. My husband said, "Who cares if a dishcloth fades?" Hahaha!

[@CindyKinney]

Oh, Tucker, ye of little faith! Never underestimate a woman's logic for fade-free dishcloths.

[@maryjohnson9949]

The vinegar test was the best.!!!

[@margaret.olander]

Yes, I think it was, albeit marginally and not worth the time when compared to the non-treated one in my humble opinion.

[@lindarodgers7538]

Thank you Margaret for the experiment, I have not really thought about how it would come out in the wash, the only time I ever used any pretreatment was with jeans, red colors etc, so the colors wouldn't run on the other colors, but liked your experiment. Thank you, I actually have never used peaches and cream for a garment, always thought it came out stiff like the kitchen cloths, guess I'm not to old to learn lol. Thank you again.

[@margaret.olander]

You're exactly right... Peaches and Cream is NOT good for a garment but that was my first attempt at a garment so I went "cheap." In truth, is wasn't too stiff because I use the dryer but It's just not soft like better cottons and clearly, they don't do a proper dye job. So... I wouldn't recommend it for garments.

[@reneegencur2469]

Thanks for sharing your tests. I was impressed with how well you set up the test. I wonder if the vinegar soaked piece would have had less blue if it had been hand washed separately because the other samples seemed to have leached blue in the earlier test and may have bled onto that item. It still appeared to have faded, so I don’t think it would have changed your assessment much for kitchen items. It might have changed how you deal with articles of clothing (cool water vs hot), though, if the fading was less than in the hot water washed sample.

[@margaret.olander]

That is an excellent observation, Renee! I definitely should have hand-washed each one in a separate solution and vinegar may have fared better! Yes, I do think the fading was less in the hand-wash-cool as one would expect. (Hot water is harsh!)

[@denisehoffmann5006]

Interesting . I agree the untreated one looks best . Thanks for trying them all . I wash my towels on hot with a bit of bleach. I usually only use lighter color cotton for my kitchen stuffs.

[@margaret.olander]

Sounds like you worked it out perfectly, Denise!

[@marywilliams9145]

Turquoise is always bad for bleeding long after it has been dyed and dried, even if it has been properly treated and fixed. It is just the nature of the blues and Red is just as bad. I have noticed this in my Tie dying that I do. Even after years of washing warm, cold, hot, they fade, bleed, give their colors away. I have some towels I do for the kitchen and I do them in hot water and sometimes with bleach, those hold the color pretty good, but do give it up faster than my shirts. But not before the towel fabric.

[@margaret.olander]

Good to know, Mary! Thank you!

[@jacobashepherd3397]

Thank you , Margaret ! This is very helpful.

[@margaret.olander]

You are so welcome, Jacoba! It was fun!

[@RoseA.Dewine]

Thank you! We'll done!!

[@nonielee5133]

Thanks for the interesting and informative podcast. I appreciate all the work that you did.

[@margaret.olander]

Thanks, Nora! It was fun to see the results!

[@deniseyoung3738]

Wow! Seeing all of them side by side really highlights the differences. I do agree, it doesn't seem worth all that effort. Maybe we just need to buy really bright colors and hope for a medium fade. And I also agree that kitchen items need to be washed correctly, better to have some fading than those icky germs! Thanks Margaret!

[@margaret.olander]

That's what Tucker said when he looked at this. "Who cares if a dishcloth fades?" Haha!

[@maggie2sticks717]

Some of the better yarns don't bleed. It's worth it to spend a bit more to not ruin your knitting!

[@michellelindgren8419]

Hi Margaret. I enjoyed this experiment. I didn’t get a chance to comment on your last video but I am so glad you are ok. I ALWAYS enjoy seeing you and you have been in my prayers the past couple of months.

[@margaret.olander]

Thank you, Michelle! I certainly appreciate those prayers!

[@crunchiestone]

Margaret, thanks for a super interesting video! You are always so thorough and well-thought out!! 😊

[@margaret.olander]

Thanks, Sarah... but I always see things I should have done differently when I'm editing so may not as well-thought out as I'd like to think!

[@elliottwilliams2959]

Thank you so much for GREAT CONTENT

[@nancyel281]

Thank you; you did a LOT of work! Much-appreciated!

[@margaret.olander]

Thanks, Nancy! It was fun to see the results!

[@nancyel281]

Margaret Olander it was fun!

[@laurenbeckerle7977]

My favorite cotton is knit picks dishie cotton. I don't think they fade, sure hope not since I sell my knits. I have given oodles of dishcloths away to lots of family and they don't seem to have faded.

[@margaret.olander]

From what I've heard, that's an excellent choice! THAT manufacturer does a proper job of dying and using a proper color fixative during the dying process! Of course, it would put your mind at ease to do test a dishcloth at home!

[@laurenbeckerle7977]

@@margaret.olander I think too it's the best basic cotton yarn. The price too by the yard is comparable to peaches and cream etc. My Mom insists on washing them in hot water with a little bleach and they are still ok. She swears. lol but I'm definitely not telling customers to do that!

[@dianeboileau2026]

Well wasn't that interesting! Margaret, thank you for taking the time to do all that testing! So no pre-treating and use hot water only. That's what I will do from now on.

[@margaret.olander]

Me, too, Diane! Although for kitchen stuff, I'll probably still add some bleach for good measure as Tucker observed, "Who cares if a dish cloth fades?" Hahaha!

[@jimflack9462]

I have found that Peaches and Cream cotton fades the worst. Other brands fade, too, just not as bad. I wear a bone anchored hearing aid much like a cochlear implant, and cannot wear acrylic caps so knit mine from cotton. I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby fades the least of any I've tried. The acrylic caps cause static and interference with my hearing device. Interesting!! Nice information for all of us. Thank you!

[@margaret.olander]

Yes! Hobby Lobby's manufacturers do a much better job with their dying process! (as does KnitPicks Dishie if you can catch it on sale!

[@allisonbarry720]

I may be lazy but my mom and I always no matter what use cold water. Does not matter what it is. Now we also don't believe in a dryer so there is no time when our clothing gets any heat unless it's really hot when we hang them on lines. (My mom is old fashioned and it's rubbed off on me) and we switched from bleach to oxyclean. I'm not sure if that makes a difference with color though. We never color set my handmade things (mostly cause I've never heard of it ) my dishcloths do fade a tiny bit but no where near the amount that I've seen other people's projects. Not trying to change anyone's mind. Just saying what works for us. Now I have a question. When you said about the yarn company's setting the color so we don't have to. I wonder if there is a product that the high quality companies use that we could buy for the cheaper yarns

[@margaret.olander]

Well, no to the high quality fixative question. It has to be applied DURING the manufacturing process so it's too late by the time it gets home to us. But RIT makes one if you want to try dying your own yarn at home! Re: washing in cold... I just can't do that because I know too much after a college biology class that freaked me out!! Plus, when all the kids were at home, Tucker used to travel a lot for work and couldn't afford to get sick. So if a kid got a bug, I had/have this whole protocol to keep it from being passed around to other family members and I'm happy to say I have a 100% success rate! And since we're most contagious BEFORE we actually show symptoms with certain bugs (like the flu or strep, for example) it seemed best just to err on the side of caution and practice preventative measures all year round.

[@allisonbarry720]

@@margaret.olander oh I hope you didn't take this wrong. I was just saying what's worked for my mom and I. Sorry if I sounded rude. Thanks for the advice on the dying process.

[@margaret.olander]

Of course I didn't take it wrong, sweet Allison! I just had a different set of life experiences that led me to these laundry decisions! ( Haha! That statement sounds funny when I reread it but ultimately, that's how all our decisions are made, right? I'm a firm believer in "do what works for YOU!"

[@kerithbernard1073]

Interesting. I would've liked to have seen "cold water, no bleach or pre-treatments" in this experiment, as that's how I normally wash mine. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@margaret.olander]

Cold water is always your best bet to reduce bleeding/fading! However, if you're making kitchen items, they need to be able to take the heat for disinfection and removing stains.

[@PCVKnits]

What a great video!!! I love your lab coat. So many of us get so excited to start a new project with some fun colorful yarn and we don't take into consideration how the finished item might be treated and then *womp* *womp* it gets washed and faded into nothingness. LOL. Thanks so much for taking the time to go through all this and reporting your results.

[@deniseyoung3738]

I squealed when I saw the lab coat! Yah, a Margaret experiment!

[@margaret.olander]

Hahaha! You're so right, Patricia! There's so much excitement bubbling around a new ball of yarn! And thanks for watching my experiments! 😍

[@margaret.olander]

Hahaha! My lab coat makes me look like I know what I'm talking about! Ha!

[@momgrandma5496]

😳 I’m glad you did this, it proves a point, you get what you pay for...for the most part.

[@margaret.olander]

True, for the most part as you pointed out! There are plenty of things that are great in the cheaper, generic versions but alas, cotton yarn isn't one of them!

[@sarap6862]

Thank you! Very helpful.

[@margaret.olander]

Thanks for watching, Sara! Glad I had something helpful to share!

[@deniseyoung3738]

I went and looked at the Spruce links above and the Color Catcher review. They basically said Color Catchers weren't all that effective, but I see them like auto Insurance....every time I drive, I'm not going to need insurance...but that one time a red t-shirt gets into my white clothes, I'm sure going to be glad a color catcher is there!

[@georgeannbraden5065]

I forgot how much this type of cotton bleeds, I’ve done a bunch in red that I was going to give as Christmas gifts, but I don’t want to ruin someone laundry!

[@margaret.olander]

I wonder if you could eliminate most of the dye bleeding if you gave them all a hot water wash first? Hmmm.... If you toss them in the dryer, they'd curl so you'd have to press them or steam them flat for proper gift giving. If you DON'T toss them in the dryer they'll have that stiff, line-dried cotton feel so you'd have to do that anyway. Or maybe make cute tags with washing instructions! "Machine wash with like colors."

[@maggie2sticks717]

Knit Picks sells a good cotton, Dishie, and it doesn't fade. The good thing is that it's not much more than the yucky stuff from Walmart. It's softer and feels nicer to knit. I can get two to three washcloths from a ball and I think the price is around $3 a ball. BTW, Kosher Salt (Morton's) has a yellow anti-caking ingredient. Look on the label. The difference between regular table salt and Kosher is that Kosher is bigger grained, has no iodine and is blessed by a Rabbi (making it Kosher).

[@margaret.olander]

Yes, Dishie is great and I've had great luck with I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby, too!

[@dianapulido1807]

The color catcher catches the color that bleeds into the water preventing it from getting on the whites that are being washed with the colored clothes.

[@mizhamilton4937]

How in the world can we tell if the yarn fades when it is white though? I really wanted to know if my peacock blue yarn will fade/run but white yarn isnt going to indicate is it? Am I missing something?

[@margaret.olander]

But the yarn isn't white. It has several different colors speckled on it chosen purposely so you could see if the different colors "bleed" in addition to the fading challenge. No two colors are formulated the same way and can react differently. If you watch the video, you'll clearly see the effects of each test.

[@shannonoliver5414]

Thank you for this video. I have a question for you. Do you know if you can wash and dry an amigurumi doll? I don't think you can but i wondered if you know how someone could clean an amigurumi item. Thanks again.

[@margaret.olander]

Excellent question and I've wondered that myself, Shannon! My gut says yes assuming 1) It's made of acrylic or maybe cotton 2) you're confident the stuffing is made of washable material and 3) it's made well enough to withstand the bouncing around of the washing machine. You could put it in a lingerie bag to protect safety eyes from scratching. However, I've sent your question to Erin, my Yarn Guru, for her opinion so when she weighs in, I'll let you know!

[@margaret.olander]

Erin just concurred with my assessment and said "delicate cycle with no heavy things like jeans in the same load."

[@shannonoliver5414]

Thank you so much for your response. 😊

[@pattyellen1954]

have you tried lemon juice to set ? What about Bluette in rinse;)

[@margaret.olander]

Nope but after what I read about the science behind the dying process, I don't have much faith in either. Apparently, it's all about the dying process and all fixatives have to be handled DURING that time. (However, the Bluette MAY remove that blue tint. I've never had any to try. In truth, I didn't think they still made it! Live and learn!)

[@kayfulmer2774]

You should try a solid color like red!

[@laurenbeckerle7977]

I recently got my paws on some of that Clorox fabric sanitizer. I wanted it for towels/sheets mainly. OMG that stuff works. Towels still smelled fresh after a week. I got the set of towels out of the closet, they too smelled perfect! They'd been in the closet for a week. I bought the stuff that goes in your washer. They also make a spray, I haven't seen that. Things here are still pretty dire in the cleaning aisles. But anyways, maybe a bleach alternative.

[@deniseyoung3738]

I have the Lysol version for my sheets, love it!

[@margaret.olander]

Oooo.... I haven't investigated Clorox fabric sanitizer at all! Thanks for the heads up, Lauren!

[@maggie2sticks717]

@@deniseyoung3738 I use it for my son's sheets and his white clothes. He is a teenager and kinda stinky!

[@margaret.olander]

Oh... teenage boys... I'm so glad they grow out of that stinky phase!

[@ahc1957]

I wouldn’t bother salt or vinegar prê-treatment. Great experiment, thanks

[@margaret.olander]

Me, either, Annie! Glad I did this experiment, too! Ha!

[@kdunlap3289]

I saw a video by some sheep farmers who dye their wool with nature dyes. They specify cold water wash for their yarns. The video was very specific Not room temperature, not luke warm, but cold cold water. As in from the well, COLD. Granted its hand dyed, wool, natural dyes. They admitted that they themselves have added a few tablespoons of warm water for comfort sake. But that is not best 4 their particular yarns. She couldn't emphasize enough in the video that cold means COLD.

[@margaret.olander]

Good to know as natural dyes are a whole different ballgame (or so I've read!) I love the idea of them by have never had any yarn dyed from them.

[@andrewaiello-hauser4256]

1. Love the lab coat. 2. I am so jealous that your washer and dryer doors open the right way.

[@margaret.olander]

1. Well thank you, Andrew! I spent a whole $15 and then embroidered it myself for my "official scientific experiments." Ha! 2. This is the first time in 15 years I've had the luxury of doors that open the right way!!!

[@Dawn-bd5gu]

where did you buy your dryer balls?

[@margaret.olander]

Those were sent to me by Meadow Mountain Wool for a video review years ago but these days you can buy them anywhere. Check Walmart's laundry aisle!

[@Dawn-bd5gu]

@@margaret.olander my wallmart has plastic dryer balls but no 100% wool balls.

[@margaret.olander]

Here's an Amazon link: amzn.to/3jFvIQZ

[@Dawn-bd5gu]

@@margaret.olander thanks! I will buy them.

[@Crafty3627]

I enjoyed your video. Thanks for sharing the findings. I was also interested in your white jacket you were wearing. It had your name and research and development underneath it. Was that something you put on it for this experiment or was that from a job that you had?

[@margaret.olander]

Thanks, Eloise, and this is my new lab coat that I bought for $15 and embroidered myself because I'm always doing my "experiments!"

[@tinascott]

Maybe shouldn't hand wash in one batch, it's cross contaminated and who knows which one bled?

[@margaret.olander]

Agreed! I just had that discussion below! You're exactly right!

[@pmiller158]

Margaret this has nothing to do with this video, but I was wondering if you might be able to help me with something. On my Addi Express King Size, I bust a small part of the Red Ring, and now I can not knit on it. I only found one place on Amazon that sell these parts, and the Red Ring is out of stock. Do not know when it will be back in stock. Now I know you have used the Addi for a while. Can you tell me where I might be able to find the part I need. I Google Addi on line and always come up with Amazon or E-Bay. If you could help me, I would be so happy. If you can not that is okay. Again I wish to Thank you for your time. Just to let you know because of your videos on the Addi, it the reason I got both Large and Small Addi.

[@margaret.olander]

Gosh, Patrick... I don't have any first hand experience but I just Googled "Addi Express parts" and got several promising hits!

[@pmiller158]

Margaret Olander Thanks for the reminder. I Googled it and found a web site that sell the red ring. $19 + ship for a total of $24

[@janegoodwin1823]

But the cold water wash left the colors brighter.

[@margaret.olander]

Yes, and I did point that out but the color bleeding ruined it for me. 😢

[@quiltn00]

Peaches and Cream and the Lily yarn called Sugar and Cream all fade horribly. Oddly enough knitters and crocheters use this yarn for the hundreds of washcloth patterns that are out there. It is so disheartening to put in all the time and effort to hand make these which they come out so pretty and then even in cool washes are faded.. I don't understand why these companies don't color fast them from the get go. i won't buy them anymore Maybe a write in to the company would help.

[@margaret.olander]

I'm not sure a write-in would help because it would raise their manufacturing costs (in materials, time AND labor) and then they couldn't sell it at the cheap price that it is. Besides, if people keep buying it as it is, why would they change?! And I agree... I won't buy it anymore but I do need to use up what I have somehow! But as Tucker observed, "Who cares if a dishcloth fades?" Hahaha!

[@quiltn00]

Tucker has a good point but some how if I make it then I care LOL Boughten ones not so much@@margaret.olander

[@kayfulmer2774]

Should not have washed all three together.

[@lyndasnart7823]

👍🌍😷🇦🇺

[@MajorMonkeytoes]

Interesting experiment! I soak mine in a 50 vinegar, 50 water solution with a couple of tablespoons of table salt, but only for about a half hour-not nearly as long as you have. I wash them in cold and lay them flat to dry and usually tumble them in the dryer for a few minutes to soften them up before I put them out to sell or give away. I do agree though with the "treat it how you think the recipient would treat it." It's the same as deciding between wool and acrylic for gifts. Of course, as with anything that's cotton, the recipient would likely expect it, no? I've never heard of anyone being surprised that their blue jeans wore out or faded. ;)

[@margaret.olander]

Well, that's a good point, Maria. I suppose they WOULD expect cotton to fade to some level. But this particular yarn (in my humble opinion) would be a big let-down after the first wash. And after seeing what salt does in this experiment, you may have even better luck with just the vinegar! But you bring up an interesting point about the soaking time. In theory, a fixative should improve results with added time but we have no way of knowing without repeating the experiment with those conditions.... hmmmm..., 🤔

[@MajorMonkeytoes]

@@margaret.olander I agree, it would be a big let-down to see it fade on the first wash. I think of cotton towels as more "workhorse" items in my house, I suppose, and they get rough treatment here, so I never thought others would be disappointed beyond the dye getting on other items in the wash. I work at a university, and at student events we often have a tie dye station where the students can make their own shirts...my Dean always tells the kids to soak them in that vinegar, water, and salt solution-I guess that's where I got it, thinking if it fixes the color in tshirts it would do the same for my cleaning rags. ;)