Cleaning threads?

[Mungo]

Sometimes after I’ve sewn my leather work the threads pick up the dye and appear dirty. Is there a way to clean them to make them nice and white again?

[Bert03241]

throw them in the washing machine

No seriously I don't see how, any attempt to wash the stitch line would risk getting more dye on them I would think.

[Mungo]

I tried using wet cotton swabs. It helped a little, but not enough.

[Eager2Learn]

Saddle soap. Soap makes things clean.

[tsunkasapa]

1 hour ago, Eager2Learn said:

Saddle soap. Soap makes things clean.

Soap will not get dye out of thread.

[Tugadude]

3 hours ago, Mungo said:

Sometimes after I’ve sewn my leather work the threads pick up the dye and appear dirty. Is there a way to clean them to make them nice and white again?

Is the thread waxed?  If so it could be on the surface and may rub off with a clean cloth.  That’s one good reason to wax thread.

[chiefjason]

Let the leather dry thoroughly.  Usually a few hours.  

Pull off extra thread, the ends get most of the transfer

Keep the needles close to the ends, the thread at the needle gets a lot of dye.

If your thread is soft look for a hard bonded nylon thread,  The bonded coating does not pick up as much.  

Edited April 7, 2022 by chiefjason

[JayEhl]

I've read how some use a natural color thread and then dye after you sew.   Not sure if its an option but just thought I'd throw that out there. 

[Zonker1972]

send a sacrificial piece of thread about a foot long on a needle through the holes and then throw it away. now stitch up and hopefully have cleaner thread holding the project together.

[JayEhl]

That's a good idea @Zonker1972