Mordants scours and assists

Visiting a temple

Sunrise on the Mekong River

Earthues, A Natural
Color Company
5129 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
Telephone
206-789-1065
Fax
206-783-9676

MORDANTS and COLOR CHANGERS

Potassium aluminum sulfate (Alum) is the primary nontoxic mordant used to fix Earthues natural dye extracts to
protein fibers such as wool, silk, alpaca and mohair. Alum has been used since the time of the Egyptians and Earthues
alum is refined to remove impurities and to yield clear colors. To order

Aluminum acetate is used for mordanting cellulose and bast fibers and is a fine white powder.

Cream of Tartar - also known as potassium bitartrate, is a sediment that is produced in fermenting grape juice. It is an
optional addition to the dye or mordant bath, and is used to acidify the dye bath to effect a color change, and to soften
wool fibers. It will dramatically shift the color of cochineal, madder and lac from their fuchsia and burgundy red shades to
a brighter, redder shade. With madder, it will shift the hue to orange. It can inhibit the color development in logwoods and
certain tannins, so it is rarely used with these dyes.

Ferrous Sulfate (Iron)
Ferrous sulfate (iron) is used as a color changer, darkening protein or cellulose fibers. It can harshen the hand of
protein fibers, so use sparingly. It can be used either during mordanting or in a post-dye bath. Complete instructions
are given.

SCOURS and CLEANSERS

Earthues Cellulose Scour - is designed for use with cellulose fibers and as part of the Silkzorb degumming process. It
works on cellulose and bast fibers in combination with soda ash and heat and thoroughly cleans cellulose fibers,
removing excess wax and other materials which could inhibit the takeup of dye.

Silkzorb Degummer - a liquid enzyme that remove excess sericin in silk fibers, allowing for a deeper penetration of dye
and deeper shades. Use with a small amount of soda ash and Earthues Cellulose Scour.

Orvus Paste was first used as equine and livestock soap, but quilters and other fiber artists use it as a mild, synthetic
soap for textiles. It is pH neutral. We use it as part of our wool scouring process, and to wash dyed fibers.

ADDITIVES

Calcium Carbonate -also referred to as chalk, this white powdery mineral is a common addition to the madder dye bath
to deepen shades and is one of the principle minerals that create hard water.

Citric Acid-a mild acid in powder form that is commonly found in citrus fruits. It is used to add acidity to the dyebath and
to precipitate the fine lac residue when using lac dye.

Soda Ash is a mild base that increases the pH of an indigo vat. It may be also used to add alkalinity to a dyebath to
change the shade.

Thiourea Dioxide-is a reducing agent and works in the indigo vat to prepare it for dipping. It can also be used as a color
remover to discharge colors from dyed fibers.

Hide Glue- is a granulated form of rabbit skin glue and is rich in collagen. Hide glue is used as a protectant for protein
fibers in high alkalinity dyebaths, such as an indigo vat and visibly improves the hand of wool and silk, even after multiple
prolonged indigo dips.

THICKENERS

Gum Tragacanth is used as a thickener to paint or print with natural dyes on fabric. It is a water-soluble carbohydrate
gum collected from the Astragalus gummifer plant and is a relative of locoweed. The bulk of gum tragacanth is from the
mountainous region of Iran and is harvested by hand.

TOOLS

pH Indicator Strips-These strips are used to measure the pH of a dyebath or indigo vat Sold in packages of 10, 25 or
100 strips with full color indicator. The range is from 0-13.

Soybeans-Used to make soymilk for painting and printing with ochres and pigments. Instructions included.

Mordants, Scours and Assists