Aluminum Lactate

Shepherd Textiles Aluminum Lactate mordant is an excellent tool for natural dyers who enjoy working with cotton and linen. Aluminum lactate is a more basic form of aluminum that is precipitated with gentle lactic acid - the same acid that makes your muscles sore after a workout - rather than with sulfuric acid. That means it has a more neutral pH in solution than standard alum, and bonds more easily with plant fibers. It can be used as a one-step mordant (without any tanning) for cotton and linen; this method works especially well with dyes like logwood and madder that already have some affinity for plant fibers. For other dyes, tanning the fibers with Sumac Extract before applying aluminum lactate will yield deeper, brighter colors.

To use, fill your dye pot with enough warm water for your fibers to move around freely. Dissolve 10% weight-of-fabric (WOF) of Shepherd Textiles Aluminum Lactate into the water, then add your clean, wetted out fibers to the mordant bath [pre-treating with a tannin optional]. Raise the temperature to 200F (just below a boil), turn off the heat, cover, and let steep overnight. Stir once or twice to make sure the fibers mordant evenly. The next day, rinse in lukewarm water. The fibers are now ready to put in a dye bath.

Product of France. Warning: May cause skin irritation. May cause serious eye irritation. May cause respiratory irritation. Wear gloves, eye protection, and a mask while handling. Avoid eye contact or inhalation.