Fabric dye... on white marble???

[Margo C.]

I went to church this morning and I noticed something unfortunate. This year, for the first time since I became a Catholic our church followed an old tradition and draped all the statues both inside and outside the church with deep purple cloths. It was the new priest's idea and most of us thought it a nice change. Anyway all last week it rained. Today as I pulled up to the church I looked over at the statue of St. Anthony standing at the front door of the church and gasped - the purple clothes apparently had not been colorfast and BLED all over the white marble statue. It looks like it has been frosted with bright pink paint!! So, does anyone maybe know how to get fabric dye off something like white marble??? I know next year I will suggest either leaving the outside statues alone or prewashing the fabric first at the very least!!!

[Margo C.]

Here's a link with some great information...

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/marble

Good luck! I hope it works and the statues can be returned to their original beauty!

[Margo C.]

Toilet bowl cleaner with bleach. It takes dye out of everything. Trust me I learned this the hard way. It works great on my marble end table and that gets grape juice spilled on it by the "not me ghost" all the time. Also it is in gel form just use gloves. I put it right on the stain, but you can put it on a sponge. The more concentrate the faster it works. Liquid also works well too. Hope I helped. Good luck Rachel

[Margo C.]

I'd be really careful about using acid on marble. Many bathroom type cleaners tell you not to use them on marble.

[Margo C.]

Before putting something in a dark color out where it can get rained on, try ironing a sample first against white muslin using the hottest iron the fabric can stand and heavy steam. If there is any excess dye on the fabric, you will see a color transfer to the muslin. If there is a color transfer, you can try washing the items with a couple of cups of ordinary table salt and then retest. Most times, the salt will do something to the dye and it will stay firmly adhered to your fabric.

I learned this years ago from a Fieldcrest towels rep and now I automatically wash all my new towels this way before I use them. I haven't had a color bleed problem in years.