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ABOUT MORDANTS
ALUM and IRON are used to mordant fibers and fabrics before applying Natural Dye.
Mordant gives Natural Dyes a surface to grip permanently.
Without mordant, most Natural Dyes will either immediately rinse out or quickly fade, or both.
ALUM Mordant helps Natural Dyes achieve their brightest, strongest potentials when dyed over.
It is a safe metallic salt and perfect for home use.
It's good for use on Protein and Cellulose fibers/fabrics.
IRON is used to mordant fibers and fabrics either before applying Natural Dye or as a Post-Mordant Color Shifter.
IRON Mordant helps Natural Dyes achieve deep, dark, moody hues.
It is a safe metallic salt and perfect for home use.
It's good for use on Protein and Cellulose fibers/fabrics.
As a Pre-Mordant, IRON gives Natural Dyes a surface to grip permanently while shifting colors to a dark, moody palette.
As a Post-Mordant, IRON allows a dyer to shift many dyes to a different spectrum of color.
ABOUT ALUM + IRON:
150 grams ALUM in Fine Powder Form
* Also known as Potassium Aluminum Sulfate
Alum Mordant helps Natural Dyes achieve their brightest, strongest potentials when dyed over.
It is a safe metallic salt and perfect for home use.
It's good for use on Protein and Cellulose fibers/fabrics.
Alum is used at 15-20%. Divide the total weight of dry fiber/fabric by 15-20% to determine your needs.
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25 grams IRON in Fine Powder Form
* Also known as Ferrous Sulfate
Iron is used to mordant fibers and fabrics either before applying Natural Dye or as a Post-Mordant Color Shifter.
Iron is used at 2-4%. Divide the total weight of dry fiber/fabric by 2-4% to determine your needs.
Iron Mordant helps Natural Dyes achieve deep, dark, moody hues. It is a safe metallic salt and perfect for home use.
It's good for use on Protein and Cellulose fibers/fabrics.
As a Pre-Mordant, Iron gives Natural Dyes a surface to grip permanently while shifting colors to a dark, moody palette.
As a Post-Mordant, Iron allows a dyer to shift many dyes to a different spectrum of color.
DETERMINING QUANTITY / DIRECTIONS:
ALUM:
(1) Weigh dry fiber/fabric to dye.
(2) Divide total weight of dry fiber/fabric by 15-20%.
(3) Measure that quantity of ALUM to mordant with.
(4) Boil a pot* of water that will fit fiber/fabric to mordant.
(5) Gently pour ALUM into hot water and stir till dissolved.
(6) Wet all fiber/fabric before adding to the mordant.
(7) Add wet fiber/fabric to the mordant.
(8) Cook on medium to high heat (dependent on fiber type -- e.g. lower heat for silks, wools; higher heat for cellulose) for 1 hour.
IRON:
(1) Weigh dry fiber/fabric to dye.
(2) Divide total weight of dry fiber/fabric by 2-4%.
(3) Measure that quantity of IRON to mordant with.
(4) There are a variety of ways to use IRON.
** Be sure to not overdue Iron on silks and protein fibers. They will degrade these fibers at higher concentrations.
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** VISIT ANINI DESIGNS ON EBAY FOR OTHER MORDANTS + NATURAL DYES + NATURAL DYE KITS + DYEABLES. **
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NATURAL DYE BASICS
* What can be dyed?
Natural Dyes only adhere long-term to Natural Fibers. Natural Fibers include, but are not limited to: silk, linen, cotton, flax, hemp, ramie, rayon, bamboo, wool, mohair, alpaca, cashmere, etc.
* Do I need anything else?
To ensure long-lasting color results, Mordants are a must with most Natural Dyes.
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* ANINI MISSION: I am committed to creating pieces that speak in conversation with, for, and in support of our amazing environment.
By purchasing from ANINI Designs you are supporting an independent, work-from-home fiber artisan who is weaving her peace, love, joy and the future into each textile.
* COLOR NOTE: ANINI Designs is not responsible for the color you reach through this varied and multi-faceted process. Your color results will be determined by how you approach the Natural Dye process (e.g. as in, what minerals are present in the water you use, what temperatures you heat to, which mordant you use, what type of metal pot you choose to mordant and dye in, what fiber type you're dying, etc.).
* VISIBILITY: Colors may vary slightly due to computer settings.
* HEALTH NOTE: Natural Dyes and Mordants may cause irritation to skin. Each person has their own sensitivities. Please use with care and take necessary precautions (e.g. use gloves and face mask) while handling, pouring, transferring, cooking, etc.
* PREP WARNING: Mordant and Natural Dye Pots must only be used with dye processes. Do not use a kitchen-cooking pot that you plan on using again with food.
* ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING: Individual & multiple quantities of smaller items are shipped in a 100% recycled poly mailer, made entirely from waste, that includes a dual adhesive strip so you can re-use it before it's recycled once again. Larger quantities may be shipped in a box.
* INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: Buyer is wholly responsible for import/export rules to their country. ANINI Designs is not responsible for knowing all international shipping law. This means, your country may not allow metallic salts and may be seized by customs. There will be no refunds if this should take place.
* PROCESSING TIME: This item is ready to ship upon order. Item will be posted within 3-5 standard business days (not including holidays). If you have specific time constraints, please do reach out before purchase. Thank you!
* GIFT ORDERS: Please add a NOTE upon purchase if you'd like a hand-written note included in your package.
* NO RETURN/REFUNDS: Because of the nature of Natural Dyes and Mordants, ANINI Designs does not accept exchanges or returns on any/all Natural Dyes, Mordants and Natural Dye Kits.