I have some new crocheted lace that I'd like to tea dye to make it appear older. This process will work. However, during my research, I read that the tannic acid in the tea will cause the dyed item to deteriorate. I was just wondering if white vinegar or some other substance would neautralize the acid from causing any damage. I believe this question is for a chemistry or dye expert. Are there any suggestions? Thanks, B
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4 responses so far ↓
1 justanotherengine // Feb, 2008
you're going to eliminate an acid, with vinegar (an acid) ???? "buffer" it with baking soda, then take a pH with a pool test kit until you "7" on the pH scale, perfectly "neutral" ! Take a pH first, see where you are on the scale, you may already be at "7".
2 Mauricio P // Feb, 2008
OMG what an imbecile, "buffer with baking soda to pH of 7". OMG buffer can occur at any pH what an idiot!. You don't buffer with a good base like bicarbonate or carbonate arggg. What you need is to spray with some window cleaner that contains ammonia. It is a weak base and will keep the laces in good condition.
3 Draken // Feb, 2008
Tea dying will cause damage over time and, since I think the acid is part of the process to achieve the effect you want, to eliminate it might cause a problem. Cauldron Crafts suggests coffee as a dying agent, among others, and gives directions on how to do it. They say that using coffee the dyed item can last 75 years.
4 twinsfan // Feb, 2008
actually justanotherengine is right…. neutralizing with a weak base like bicarbonate as in baking soda is a good idea. even better is the idea of checking the pH before trying to neutralize because there's no reason to think a tea has a very acidic pH otherwise it would taste sour (if it were basic it would taste bitter). be careful when you're neutralizing because a non-buffered solution can have a very large pH change for a very small amount of acid/base added. either way, remember that if you need a less acidic solution, add baking soda, and if you need a less basic solution, add vinegar (combined they make a nice mild cleaner). above all, don't overthink this like we all are.
mauricio, stay in the "botany" area where you "biolodists" belong. you've shown that "biolodists" are really the imbeciles.
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