One very seriously long shot.........
I bought some 40-50 year-old African batik prints and when they arrived I was amazed that they have never been "de-waxed".
With them being so old I did wonder if the wax might have oxidised so that it might not come out of the fabric, but using a warm iron and some craft paper along one edge, plenty does.
The problem? I will need a few acres of craft paper based on what little I have done so far, which would also take ages.
The other method that can be used is to wash the wax out in warm soapy water, which I am loathe to try for a variety of reasons, the most important being the unknown dyes, and any shrinkage/distortion of the fabric (they look to be on a very thin cotton canvas - like very heavy shirting, although there is so much wax in it that it could be lighter than I imagine).
Anyone tried either, especially the washing method? If you have successfully tried a wash, what detergent/soap did you use?
I bought some 40-50 year-old African batik prints and when they arrived I was amazed that they have never been "de-waxed".
With them being so old I did wonder if the wax might have oxidised so that it might not come out of the fabric, but using a warm iron and some craft paper along one edge, plenty does.
The problem? I will need a few acres of craft paper based on what little I have done so far, which would also take ages.
The other method that can be used is to wash the wax out in warm soapy water, which I am loathe to try for a variety of reasons, the most important being the unknown dyes, and any shrinkage/distortion of the fabric (they look to be on a very thin cotton canvas - like very heavy shirting, although there is so much wax in it that it could be lighter than I imagine).
Anyone tried either, especially the washing method? If you have successfully tried a wash, what detergent/soap did you use?