Does anyone use chrome as a mordant? I understand how hazardous it can be, but I have been researching the information and some use it with lots of caution - others not at all.
Any info pro or con welcome.
I've used it cautiously but have chosen not to use it now. So many warnings and so many other choices of other mordants to use. Just be aware that you need to be cautious when mixing, use a mask, fully exhaust your bath and be thoughtful on how you dispose of the left over water. I am sure you will get many different opinions. You just need to understand what you are working with and proceed with knowledge.
walked back to the computer to add this...
www.aurorasilk.com/tutorials_articles_faqs/natural_dyes/problem_of_chrome.html
This comes from Aurora Silk, Cheryl Kolander's web site. I have taken dye classes from Cheryl Kolander and found her very entertaining with lots of good information. I guess we are all characters in our own right. Her book self publish " Brilliant colours with Natural Dyes" has much good info in it. It doesn't have a table of contents tied to page # but still worth while having as a reference. She gives you another view of chrome as a mordant
I had justread that article by Cheryl Kolander as well as another with quite the opposite opinion. It looks like a lot of hassle to use with all the warnings and respirators etc. and then the disposing of the left over water.
As you say - there are lots of options and I guess I am curious because of when I was researching the feverfew and that was the only mordant mentioned.
I am certainly not sure if I want to use chrome at all but have a 50gm bag that was in a box of natural dye stuff purchased from an estate sale. So it sits and I don't even know how to dispose of it if I don't want to use it. For now I keep it in a tightly closed container within a container!
