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A less expensive mordant alternative to potassium aluminum sulfate, and aluminum acetate with equal results in my opinion.
For cellulose fibers: Weigh out aluminum sulfate at 12% WOF and dissolve it in a small amount of water just off the boil. Stir well until completely dissolved. Fill your dye pot with hot tap water, then add the dissolved alum. Weigh out soda ash at 2% WOF, add it to the dye pot and stir well. Add the fibers and submerge. Steep for at least 2 hours stirring regularly and being sure to keep the fibers submerged. Remove the fibers, rinse once in cool water, wring out and hang to dry or proceed to dyeing.
For protein fibers: Weigh out aluminum sulfate at 12% WOF and dissolve it in a small amount of water just off the boil. Stir well until completely dissolved. Fill your dye pot with lukewarm water and add the dissolved alum. Add the fibers and slowly bring the temperature up to 180°F. Hold at temperature for 1 hour then remove from heat and let the fibers cool in the dye pot. Rinse the fibers in lukewarm water, then gently wring out and hang to dry or proceed to dyeing.
A less expensive mordant alternative to potassium aluminum sulfate, and aluminum acetate with equal results in my opinion.
For cellulose fibers: Weigh out aluminum sulfate at 12% WOF and dissolve it in a small amount of water just off the boil. Stir well until completely dissolved. Fill your dye pot with hot tap water, then add the dissolved alum. Weigh out soda ash at 2% WOF, add it to the dye pot and stir well. Add the fibers and submerge. Steep for at least 2 hours stirring regularly and being sure to keep the fibers submerged. Remove the fibers, rinse once in cool water, wring out and hang to dry or proceed to dyeing.
For protein fibers: Weigh out aluminum sulfate at 12% WOF and dissolve it in a small amount of water just off the boil. Stir well until completely dissolved. Fill your dye pot with lukewarm water and add the dissolved alum. Add the fibers and slowly bring the temperature up to 180°F. Hold at temperature for 1 hour then remove from heat and let the fibers cool in the dye pot. Rinse the fibers in lukewarm water, then gently wring out and hang to dry or proceed to dyeing.
