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How to Get Fray Check Out of Fabric

Don’t Let Dritz Fray Check Stains

Ruin Your Fabric!

How to Remove Drtiz Fray Check from Fabric. itchinforsomestitchin.com

If you are a seasoned sewer then you probably have a lot of experience with or have at least heard of Fray Check.  For beginning sewers or for those who simply don’t know what I am talking about, Fray Check is a liquid seam sealant distributed by Dritz that secures fabric ends and stops fabric from fraying.  It is colorless and is reported to withstand repeated washing and dry cleaning.

I discovered this fantastic product several months ago when my fiancé’s one year anniversary gift almost fell apart… literally.  It has saved my projects more than once since!  BUT…. yes, that’s a huge BUT, it comes with a big caveat.

If you are careless, rushing, the top pops off and it squirts on your fabric, etc…  your project could be in terrible trouble. This is because Fray Check stains.  It adheres to your fabric, which is its job, and despite the fact that it reportedly remains “invisible”, I have found that when it dries it looks like glue… and not the washable kind either.  Once dried it can be impossible to get out, but for some projects all is not lost.  Some Fray Check stains can be removed!  How, you may ask?  The answer is Alcohol and/or Acetone.

Let me share my experiment with you.

Step 1.

I smeared some Dritz Fray Check on a scrap piece of satin fabric and let it dry for 24 hours.

How to Remove Dritz Fray Check from Fabric. itchinforsomestitchin.com

I smeared Fray Check on satin fabric and let dry for 24 hours.

Step 2.

I applied rubbing alcohol to the stain using a cotton ball and let the alcohol dry.

NOTE:  Since I let the sealant dry for 24 hours it took repeating this step multiple times before any results could be seen.

How to Remove Dritz Fray Check Stains from Fabric. itchinforsomestitchin.com

I applied Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol to the Fray Check Stain.

How to Remove Dritz Fray Check from Fabric. itchinforsomestitchin.com

Let the alcohol dry.

Step 3. (if necessary)

Soaking the fabric in alcohol for extended periods of time may be necessary depending on the size of the stain and on how long it has been on the fabric.  I had to do this because I made a large stain (so it could be seen clearly in pictures) and let it dry overnight.

Soak Fray Check Stain in Alcohol to Remove. itchinforsomestitchin.com

Fabric may need to soak in alcohol for extended periods.

Step 4.  (optional)

Use Acetone, i.e., nail polish remover, if the stain still has not come out.

NOTE:  This step may or may not be necessary, again depending on the size of your stain and how long it has been on the fabric.  Alternatively, you can omit this step and continue to use alcohol or vice versa.

Use Acetone to Remove Dritz Fray Check from Fabric. itchinforsomestitchin.com

You may or may not choose to use acetone to help remove the Fray Check stain.

Results.

The Fray Check Stain has been removed!

Dritz Fray Check stain removed. itchinforsomestitchin.com

Fray Check stain is gone!

Are you amazed?  Frankly, so am I!  I must caution you, this experiment took me three days, a lot of soaking, and a lot of scrubbing with alcohol/acetone.  This is because the stain was quite large and I let it dry for a long time.  I did this for only for this experiment.  I pray that any Fray Check mishaps you may have are small and you catch them quickly.  The longer it sits and the larger it is, the harder it is to get out.

Tips

1.  Be very careful when handling Dritz Fray Check.  You only want to apply it in small amounts and just to the edge of the fabric where it is fraying.

2.  Put something under your fabric, especially if the fabric is thin, to protect the furnishings beneath it.  I like to use a piece of cardboard or construction paper.

3.  If you do get excess Fray Check on your fabric where you do not intend, catch it quickly!  Remove it with alcohol and/or acetone preferably BEFORE the Fray Check dries.

4.  Test the alcohol and/or acetone either on an inconspicuous area or on a scrap of your fabric before using it.  These  products are chemicals that may or may not affect the color and/or integrity of your fabric.

I have only used this Fray Check removal method on blue statin costume fabric.  Although I have not had any issues,  I cannot say if this method will work on all fabrics or how they may affect different fabrics so please use these chemicals with caution and at your own discretion.   If anyone knows of other methods to remove Dritz Fray Check from fabric please share!

In the meantime, I hope this post can help some of you who might be desperate for an answer to save your project from a Fray Check nightmare.

Good luck and happy sewing!

Itchinforsomestitchin.com

Carolyn

Monday 10th of April 2023

Question: Since I do not sew as much as I used to, I don't use Fray Check as much as I used to., so it thickens in the bottle. Can I use Alcohol or Acetone to thin it and make it useable again?

Itchin4Stitchin

Monday 10th of April 2023

Hi Carolyn,

I've gone through my Fray Check so it has never thickened, but I do suspect you are correct. The alcohol or acetone may thin it out. Similar to when nail polish gets thick - I add a little acetone and it works perfectly!

I will have to let my Fray Check thicken and give it a try. If you decide to try it out, I'd love it if you'd pop in and share your results. :)

Best wishes,

RaeLynn

Nance Abadilla

Thursday 3rd of February 2022

Thank you SO much!! I was desperate for something to wear to a wedding, and ended up buying a dress that was too small, but I was going to cut off the top, and make it into a skirt- no small undertaking! The top I had was long, so the waist wouldn't show. The first thing I did was to put fray stop on the zipper close to where I wanted it to end. And then... I found the perfect dress! If I could get the fray stop off the zipper, I could return the too small dress. You trick worked perfectly- I used the back side of a seam ripper to rub the glue off- the zipper works perfectly! You saved me a lot of money- Thanks again!

Itchin4Stitchin

Thursday 3rd of February 2022

Hi Nance,

I my heavens! You poor thing! I am so very glad I could help! I really need to give this post an update and fresh look, but I am glad you found it useful all the same.

Best wishes,

RaeLynn

Diane Gray

Sunday 30th of May 2021

Taking a broad-sided toothpick and 91 proof alcohol I was able to get most of it out of a cotton dress....and this was after going through the washer and dryer. Just rub with the flat side of the toothpick. 😊

Itchin4Stitchin

Sunday 30th of May 2021

Hi Diane,

Alcohol works pretty good doesn't it? Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us!

Best,

RaeLynn

Jenn

Monday 16th of July 2018

This post saved my chiffon dress! Thank you!’n

Itchin4Stitchin

Tuesday 17th of July 2018

Omigsh... I am so glad to hear that! You just made my day. :)

Nelly

Friday 16th of March 2018

I accidentally put fray check on my satin dress and it dried WHITE. I tried water and soap but nothing and I do not have alcohol/acetone. Is there anything else I can use? I tried hydrogen peroxide but I can still see the white.

Itchin4Stitchin

Saturday 17th of March 2018

Hi Nelly,

I’m so sorry, but so far alcohol/acetone seems to be the only thing that works. You could try Witch Hazel, but I don’t know for sure it will work. I’ll have to give it a test run .

Let me know if you do find something else that works. I’d love to add it to the post to give others some options.

Best wishes,

RaeLynn

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