Jacquard deColourant Dye Remover

What is deColourant?

deColourant is a non-bleach color remover. Once it has been applied to dyed fabric, it is activated with heat—either an iron, heat press or heat gun. After the color has been removed, the deColourant is washed out.

Why use deColourant instead of bleach?

Bleach is an aggressive chemical that can weaken and damage the integrity of a fiber. deColourant only affects the dye that the fabric has been colored with and leaves the fiber unscathed. Working with bleach can also be a health and safety risk. You don’t have to worry like that with deColourant.

I tried deColourant on a natural fabric that I did not dye myself and it didn’t work. Why not?

Not all dyes are dischargeable. Some will discharge all the way to white while some won’t discharge at all. That is why we always recommend testing the fabric first, if possible. You never know what commercial textiles and garments have been dyed with. If you want consistent results, dye the fabric yourself with a dye you know to be dischargeable (we can recommend some!) or stick with a brand you trust to be consistent.

Does deColourant only work on fabric?

deColourant has the potential to work on any dyed natural surface. (Again, not all dyes are dischargeable). It works well on most craft papers, for instance. It will not work on pigmented paper or painted surfaces.

Do deColourant and deColourant Mist need to dry before applying heat?

There needs to be moisture present during heating to activate the chemical reaction, so it actually tends to work better to heat when the print is still damp. As the print dries, it will become increasing important to use steam when ironing.

After heating, do I need to wash my fabric immediately? How long can I wait?

Once the print has been heated and the color has been satisfactorily removed from the fabric, there is no rush to remove the deColourant.

Can I add color to deColourant? What type of products work well to colorize deColourant?

Adding paints and inks to deColourant is a great way to work additively and subtractively at the same time! Mixing deColourant with a transparent paint like Jacquard’s Dye-Na-Flow, for instance, will produce incredibly vibrant colors on black fabric, which is always a challenge for textile artists. Try combing deColourant with Neopaque, Textile Color, Airbrush Color, Dye-Na-Flow, screen inks or other water-based paints.

What is the ideal heat/temp for discharging my fabric?

Use the highest temperature setting appropriate for the fabric type. Using steam will also help facilitate the reaction.

What do I do if I spill deColourant or get it in area I don’t want it?

deColourant cleans up easily with water and does not activate until heated, so if you get some on an area of the fabric that is undesirable, simply wash it out

Jacquard deColourant is a discharge medium that is activated by heat only.
Until heat is applied, nothing happens, allowing full control and easy correction.

🖌️ Application

Apply deColourant to previously dyed fabric or paper using:

• brush
• sponge
• stamp
• stencil
• screen printing

Allow the application to dry completely.

🔥 Heat Activation

Activate with heat using:

• an iron set to the highest temperature suitable for the fabric
• for stronger color removal, use steam
• a heat gun may also be used, especially if the print is still slightly damp

👉 Color removal occurs at this stage.

🧼 Washing After Activation

After color removal, wash fabric with Synthrapol or a mild detergent to restore the natural softness of the fibers.

⚠️ Important Notes (Troubleshooting)

• The resulting color may not be white; this depends on the original dye
• Some dyes are more susceptible to removal than others
• Pigment and synthetic dyes cannot be removed
• Testing on samples is strongly recommended before production runs
• If you don’t like the result before heat activation, simply wash it out — the process has not started yet

🛑 Safety Information

• May cause eye, skin and throat irritation
• Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged skin contact
• Do not apply by spraying
• Use in a well-ventilated area

🥇 How to Choose: Jacquard deColourant or Bleach Thickener

Both products are used for fabric discharge, but they work in very different ways and are suited to different working styles and materials. Choosing the right one depends on the level of control you want, the fiber you are working on, and how comfortable you are with the process.

Jacquard deColourant removes dye through heat activation. Until heat is applied, nothing happens, which means the process is fully controllable and reversible. You can rinse it out, adjust your design or start over before committing. Color removal begins only when heat is applied with an iron, steam or a heat gun. This makes deColourant ideal for precision work, layered designs and sensitive fibers, especially protein fibers such as silk and wool, where bleach cannot be used. The resulting color is not always white and depends on the original dye.

Jacquard Bleach Thickener, on the other hand, relies on the chemical action of bleach. The thickener turns liquid bleach into a stable paste so it can be painted, stenciled or printed without spreading. Once applied, the reaction starts immediately and cannot be reversed. The results are often stronger, more organic and high-contrast, making it well suited for cotton, linen and denim, but unsuitable for silk or wool.

🧠 Core Difference

Jacquard deColourant
→ Removes dye through heat activation
→ Chlorine-free
→ Nothing happens until heat is applied
→ Maximum control and reversibility before activation

Jacquard Bleach Thickener
→ Removes color through bleach chemistry
→ Acts immediately
→ Cannot be reversed once active
→ Requires experience and timing

🧵 Fiber Compatibility

deColourant
✔ cotton
✔ linen
✔ silk
✔ wool
✔ rayon
✔ paper

Bleach Thickener
✔ cotton
✔ linen
✔ denim
✔ synthetics
❌ silk
❌ wool

👉 For protein fibers, deColourant only.

🎯 Control & Visual Results

deColourant

• Clean negative effects
• Precise, design-oriented results
• Ideal for layered work and re-coloring
• Final color depends on the original dye (not always white)

Bleach Thickener

• Strong, organic, high-contrast effects
• Bold visual impact
• Ideal for stencil work and large areas

🛠️ Activation Method

deColourant
🔥 Heat (iron, steam or heat gun)
→ Can be washed out before activation

Bleach Thickener
🧪 Chemical reaction with bleach
→ Action begins immediately upon application

🧩 When to Choose Each

Choose deColourant if:

• you work on silk or wool
• you want control and safety
• you need the option to correct before activation
• you want negative and layered effects

Choose Bleach Thickener if:

• you work on cotton or denim
• you want strong color removal
• you use stencil or screen printing
• you are comfortable working with bleach