Abstract: Matrix-dyed textiles of cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, silk, wool, flax, nylon, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, cotton, and rayon are stripped of their dyes in a dye stripping system comprising a reducing agent in an aqueous bath produced by the reaction of a bisulfite with about 0.35% or less of a borohydride by weight of the textile. The borohydride may be added to an aqueous bath already containing the bisulfite and the textile or the borohydride and bisulfite may be mixed in an add tank and the mixture added to the aqueous bath. Chelating agents, sequestering agents, fire retardants, and odor scavengers are not needed. Reclaimed textiles having superior receptivity of a new dye are provided.