Scott,
If we are trying to prevent the non stained fabric from accepting new dye, would "dye Lock" work to surround the stain, or would it also set the ink?
Dye Loc does help keep surrounding material from accepting dye. Most inks however, are colored with pigments (solids rather than liquids) and Dye Loc does not work as well to repel the color of pigments.
In addition, the ammonia is less expensive than Dye Loc, so I don't see a good reason to use Dye Loc for this purpose.
Also, what would a reducing agent do, as wool supposedly does not like oxidizers?
Reducers will work on some ink stains. Oxidizers work on a greater variety of ink types. No harm in trying the reducer first when working on wool. Use a pipette or medicine dropper to apply it on a few yarns to see what results you get.
Yes, oxidizers can weaken wool fibers and tend to cause a yellowing that is easily seen on off-white or cream colored wool fibers.
When using oxidizers on wool, watch carefully what is happening. Rinse when you get the results you want. Don't over-use. It really becomes a balance between the appearance damage done by the ink and the damage that coudl be done by an oxidizer.
Stain Magic for wool is an oxidizer that will be a bit less aggressive, work more slowly but be safer for the wool.
Isn't a one part oxidizer a stabilized peroxide boosted with ammonia?
Most one part oxidizers do contain peroxide and stabilizers. They will also contain a blend of surfactants to control how they penetrate and spread.
Ammonia may be an ingredient. There are other ammine materials as well as non-amine boosters that may be used. Ingreints may also be included to provide a suitable pH for the reaction desired without harming the fabric.
