What Does It Mean Fabric May Crock? (Stop Fabric Crocking)
What a load of crock. In some regions of the world, that word means the person talking is lying. For fabrics, that word has an altogether different meaning. But it can refer to the fact that the manufacturer did not make a quality clothing item.
What does it mean fabric may crock? It is a warning. The manufacturer who made the clothing is telling on itself and warning you that they did not do a great job with dyeing the fabric. When you read those words, you are being warned that the dye may rub off onto other fabrics or objects.
To learn more about what the meaning of that term is, just continue to read our article. It gives you all the details you need to understand the fabric use of the term crock. it is not a bad word, just a word of warning.
What Does ‘Fabric May Crock’ Mean?
Many definitions come with the word crock and almost all of them are slang terms for some bad habit. When it comes to fabrics the term is still referring to something bad that may happen.
When used with fabrics, you are being told that the material you just bought may share its dye with anything that touches it. You do not have to wait to get that fabric wet to see color or dye bleed. This material, when labeled with that phrase, tells you that you can brush against the material and see a new color on your all-white clothing.
Unfortunately, this fabric knows no boundaries as it can spread its color to sewing machines and other objects as well. Quilts are not exempt from doing this either. Then some leather products may crock on you if you are not careful.
Red may be a color that will transfer from leather accessories like purses, belts, and so on so you need to be careful and make a test first before you buy. Even if the clothing item passes the crocking test, you should keep an eye on it just in case.
Fabric Crocking Test
Some people use the term crock when referring to fabrics to include any wet dye transfers that occur outside of the wash. You know when it is raining or you got splashed and the next thing you know the color of the fabric on the chair you were sitting on, is now on your dress nice pants.
For a wet crocking test, dampen the material you want to test, and then use a scrap of white cloth and rub it against the wet area. The amount of dye that transfers will tell you how colorfast the test material really is.
The dry test is the same method without the moisture. You do need to do a wet test as water will break down bad dye jobs very easily and help the transfer of the color. The reason you get the notice on the care labels is that most clothing manufacturing companies have a set of tests that they use.
These tests tell them how much their dye will rub off onto other fabrics and then they will warn you that it will transfer even when dry.
How to Stop Fabric Crocking
Several methods can be applied however, using vinegar or slat during the wash cycle is not two of them. Those options only work during the dyeing process and not after it has been completed.
Here are some methods you can use to stop crocking from taking place:
#1. Use a color fixative- there are commercial fixatives that you can buy, but they are not good for polyester-type clothing.
#2. Wash similar colors together- if you can’t beat it, hide it.
#3. Cut down on friction- even when you are sitting normally, you can create friction by moving a lot. Try to keep the friction to a minimum.
#4. Use proper drying techniques- avoid using the dryer as well as direct sunlight to dry your clothes. the sun will bleach them and the dryer creates friction which will help transfer colors.
#5. You may not be able to do anything- especially when it comes to jeans and indigo dyes. The dye is made to come off and no matter what you do it will come off.
How do you Keep Fabric From Crocking?
This may not be an easy task to perform as you just read that it may be impossible to stop crocking on certain clothing items. Improper dyeing methods mean that there is a lot of loose dye on the fabric and you may have to do a few wash loads to remove all that loose dye.
Once that is done crocking may not take place. However, if during one of those wash loads you use a fixative the solution may not be permanent. Fixatives can wear out or be washed out after a while. When it does even your older clothes will start to transfer their color again.
You can try to use a product called color catchers s those washer sheets are designed to pick up any loose dye that is in the wash water.
How to clean crocking stains
#1. Do not let the dye dry as it will set in place. Treat the stains as soon as possible.
#2. Avoid chlorine bleach- use oxygen bleach instead and do not make the mixture too potent. 1/2 cup of oxygen bleach mixed with 2 cups of warm water should do it.
Let soak for 5 minutes and then place the clothing in a bucket of cool water with 2 cups of oxygen bleach and let soak for 1 to 5 hours. Repeat if necessary.
Some Final Words
In some cases no matter what you do, there may be a little crocking take place. Just make sure to treat the stains asap and do it safely.
