deColourant Color Remover

deColourant is a reducing agent for safely removing color from natural fibers, and is even safe on silk. It removes most fiber reactive dyes (such as Dharma's Fiber Reactive MX dyes), direct dyes, and many acid dyes, especially the "leveling" ones. The pre-metallized ones and some milling don't discharge. It is thick enough to block print, brush it on, screen it on, stencil it on, etc. You can apply the paste to your fabric, let it dry and steam it with a steam iron or steam in a steamer for 10 minutes or so, until it stops discharging. Then wash your fabric in a good Textile Detergent, and rinse in Textile Softener to restore softness. Wear gloves and work in a well ventilated area when using discharge chemicals.

deColourant does not always remove all of the color, it depends on the dye and the color to which it is applied. For example, some yellow Fiber Reactive Dyes don't discharge, but the blues do, so when you discharge a green, you may get a yellow, orangey or peachy color. Always best to test! We have also found it works best when fairly fresh. It can be used for creating interesting negative image effects. Use in silk painting and tie-dye: paint on retied, dyed garments after they have dried for great effects.

Visit our full page Discharging Directions for a deep-dive into discharging or see the instructions tab for a simple step by step. deColourant is fairly safe to use but does have a strong ammonia smell so use it in a well ventilated place.

Note - Due to a changes in the black dyes used on our pre-dyed BLACK clothing items, deColourant sporadically works on these items. Other commercially dyed fabrics and garments are a total crap shoot because you have no idea what they are dyed with. Test, test, test! If this won't discharge a certain item, bleach or Jacquard Screen Ink Discharge will. The best discharge artists have to do a lot of experimenting!

Also available in a 4 oz. Mist sprayer. Great for use in negative space and overspray art to create interesting effects using stencils and other objects. 

Interested in Gallons? Give us a call for availability and lead times. (800) 542-5227