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
