Dye Spread after dress was ironed? How to fix?

Vlk94

Vlk94

Registered Guest
Hi everyone,

I have a 1940s Dress I had sent to the dry cleaners. When I got it back pink from the large roses spread onto parts of the white on the dress. Is there any way I can fix this? Dry Cleaners offered but I'm hesitant to give the dress back.. It isn't horrible, but the dress is otherwise is fabulous condition. Its a cotton.

Thanks in advance if anyone has any information.
 
Considering it came back from the dry cleaners that way I should hope it was their responsibility to fix it best they can! I have never heard of dye moving with ironing, more likely it was the chemicals or treatment they used. Do you know what was done to it in terms of dry cleaning(hand or machine)/steaming/pressing/ironing?

If you didn't want to give it back to them (and I wouldn't blame you) I would look into using dye remover or (as a last resort) a mild bleach such as Milton to remove the dye run. It will depend on the extent as to which you use.
I had success with the bleach on white cotton or polyester embroidery which had turned pink from a red base, soaking the area in very little bleach, repeat until it has the desired lightening effect then rinse many many times in fresh water.
For something you presumably can't remove, such as your flowers, I would place a couple of layers of something absorbant on your work surface (preferably the same colour, to avoid further colour run!), an old jersey jumper say, on top of plastic, and either dab with a cloth or use a dropper to place small amounts of bleach on the effected areas then follow as above. You have to be wary not to go too close to the red, as the liquid will seek out the fibres and follow it along the fabric.
 
I agree that it is the responsibility of the dry cleaner to fix - are you sure they dry cleaned and it and didn't wash it? I've discovered that often they wash garments if they think the fabric can take it, and normally cotton is a fabric you wash, certainly I would never dry clean it.

If they did wash it, you should be able to rewash with a run remover but I hope they didn't use high heat which might set it. It's worth a shot though.
 
Sorry to hear this- what fabric is the dress made of? I have seen dye run with the use of industrial steam irons on acetate taffeta for instance. It is also possible that they used spray solutions in the pressing process. Whichever it was- they are responsible, and I would encourage them to fix it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top