The batik fragments keep on coming, however there seems to be a problem with the wax removal in some of the fragments. Particularly the silk. The wax just wants to stay in the fabric.
I am still experimenting with trying different soaps to try and see what works the best. Because the fabric is natural vegetation dye this limits the use of detergents. Plus, I would rather not use any formulas with sodium laurel sulphate or too many phosphates. Sometimes the harsher detergents have the capability of changing the colours of the natural dyes, and I really would rather keep the colours as true as I can.
Anyway, this lot has had two dips in the hot pot, and after ironing them yesterday I found they still contained wax. So I will heat the pot of water up again today and try again.
I know that you can iron the wax out with brown paper either side, but my electricity is limited here with solar power, and I really do not want to rely on this method to remove wax.
Once I work out the best soap I will let you know. And we can continue our journey into batik.
6 comments:
hey i just had a thought, what about eucalyptus oil, it's a natural solvent. and then you'd just have to wash the oil out.
maybe worth trying eh?
just come to your blog from Nat's and l have subscribed so l don't loose you. I love Batik and really have enjoyed reading your blog entries.xlynda
yeh, it might be worth a try, thanks kaite.
well thank you lynda
xt
I had a lot of problems getting the beeswax out of one of my experiments too. I had tried boiling water but it took a lot of the color out of the fabric I had dyed...
i just love your eco batiks! there is an ephemeral quality to them... as if they might change and become something else if you were to look away to long.
namaste'
There is a bit more to this wax resist than meets the eye Deb. I am still looking for simpler ways to get the wax out.
Thanks Joe, and great to hear from you. Such a lovely comment too.
xt
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