I just ordered and rec'd my bottle of Synthrapol. After reading the disclaimer that there is a known cancer causing agent in the bottle I was a little annoyed. I thought maybe I ought to just use dish detergent, but thought, whatever the agent is, is probably in that as well. I know that foaming agents in shampoo can be bad news as well.

What do you use to wet and rinse your fiber? if you use Synthrapol, are you concerned and do you take precautions in handling?

Thanks for any inight.

Worry wart,

Mary

Comments

Thu, 09/10/2009 - 17:43

jemwork (not verified)

The cancer warning is a new one for me. I've been using synthrapol for years, mostly with bare hands, but with gloves for just dyed fiber. I've also had cancer. I'll have to look into this more - don't want to be in the unnecessary risk pool any more than necessary.

A wetting agent like this is very helpful to make sure the dyes penetrate more evenly. Its worked for me & I just use a tiny amount each time.

Thu, 09/10/2009 - 18:11

Sara von Tresckow

Dharma Trading has come up with their own detergent for working with dyed fibers. They invented it when Sysnthrapol threatened to discontinue production. It also keeps excess dye molecules in suspension to avoid bleed.

It doesn't contain alcohols and is cheaper - order directly from Dharmatrading.com

 

Thu, 09/24/2009 - 13:04

Cynthia

Sara -- that's an interesting tip.  I buy my Synthrapol from Dharma!

Village Weaver, I've noticed that due to California's strict labeling laws, things that I order from Dharma come with cancer warnings, when if I bought them locally, they wouldn't.  I assume, therefore, that I am surrounded by carcinogens.  I wear gloves if I'm washing more than one skein, but that's the only precaution I take.

Sat, 09/26/2009 - 12:25

villageweaver (not verified)

Hello,

The Synthrapol I purchased was from Dharma and is labeled as Synthapol and it does say on the label how the state of CA believes it to contain cancer causing agents. I know that shampoo with DEA (foaming agent) is known to be a cancer issue. Maybe it's the foaming agent in the synthapol. I guess people feel better by seeing suds - but i wish they'd take it out of everything!

Sat, 09/26/2009 - 15:21

fleurdefibre (not verified)

 If it is not foaming, what else?  Always something!

I found Eucalan quite effective at washing out fibres after dyeing.  

 

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 22:38

planttapestry (not verified)

I have some black rayon chenille that is bleeding profusely. I'd like to use something to remove the excess dye when I'm finishing the scarf to keep the dye off the other colors and potentially off the future wearer.

Until I can get some synthrapol, I wonder if Rit color remover will do the job? (I'm always in a hurry to see my finished piece ;))

And does the non toxic Dharma product work as well for any of you as the synthrapol?

thanks

Judy

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 23:04

tien (not verified)

RIT color remover will remove all the dye, not just the excess dye.  I'd use Orvus Paste if you don't want to use Synthrapol, or Dawn dishwashing detergent if neither of those is available.

Speaking as a Californian, those cancer labels are so ridiculously prevalent as to be useless.  For example, here is the Prop 65 label that goes on cars (drawn from the Amazon.com FAQ on this):

WARNING: Motor vehicles contain fuel, oils and fluids, battery posts, terminals and related accessories which contain lead and lead compounds and other chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. These chemicals are found in vehicles, vehicle parts and accessories, both new and as replacements. When being serviced, these vehicles generate used oil, waste fluids, grease, fumes and particulates, all known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm.

I basically ignore any Prop 65 warnings unless I know there's a solid reason to avoid the product.  I'm sure the legislature meant well, but when you start putting a warning on SAND because inhaled silica dust can cause cancer, that's a bit ridiculous.

All that said - I use Orvus Paste instead of Synthrapol, and find that it works just as well.

Hope that helps!

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 23:10

tien (not verified)

I just checked Paula Burch's website (a font of information on everything related to dyeing), and she has an entire page on Synthrapol here: http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/synthrapol.shtml

It looks like the dreaded "cancer-causing" agent is isopropanol, aka rubbing alcohol.  (See my previous comments about Prop 65 over-labeling.)  I wouldn't worry, though I would wear gloves lest it irritate my skin.

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 23:24

Karren K. Brito

Synthrapol has been the most toxic of the chemicals that we use in dyeing.  There are now alternatives and Synthrapol will probably disappear in a few years.

Alternatives include ORVUS paste.  This is a nice alternative for most applications such as washing fleece, felting or wet finishing cloth after weaving.  We dyers like it for its simplicity; no colorants, perfums or optical whitening agents (all common in household products) to leave behind and interfer with dyeing. It also has a neutral pH which makes it gentle on wool and natural dyes.

ORVUS is not strong enough to scour difficult to dye fibers such as cotton which need to have waxes and pectins removed to dye well.  For that I use Earthues Cellulose Scour which you can buy on line here. 

Both of these products are environmentally sound.

Tue, 10/09/2012 - 22:58

Slipstream (not verified)

California's Prop 65 warnings are everywhere, even the grocery stores: I generally ignore them.  However that being said I also use nitrile gloves, a respirator and a rubber apron when dyeing.  I like to make sure my respirator is NIOSH approved.  I'm not an alarmist and an occasional exposure to most stuff is not life threatening you shold owever take the appropriate precausions if you are going to be using the materials regularly.  I use standardized dyes and mix all the other colors but some of the components of the dyes can be a threat.

Regards, Charles

Wed, 10/10/2012 - 05:14

coastalgal (not verified)

there's so much that is potentially carcinogenic. Many of the surfactants, sudsing agents and other things that make up 'soaps' are nasty, however they do clean well. The Isoproply alcohol is not good, don't ingest it!!, the biggest culprit is Sodium Lauryl sulfate. it is in shampoo, dishwashing (hand or machine) and many other liquid soaps. just remember to use good precautions, gloves, good air circulation and avoid prolonged exposure. Masks with dry/powdered chemicals is always good. PPE-personal protective equipment and common sense go a long way. And always, don't mix dye equipment with kitchen use. We could get crazy about what is put into our drinking water as well. Charcoal filters work well there. When I get home (I'm now at work) I'll post a link that is great information about carcinogens in soaps and other home products. 

elaine in OR