Hi Joyce, I've died a few things, and "stabilized" other natural items. Generally, like cloth for example, soaking for a certain time period is enough. For quicker, or deeper penetration, heat, pressure, or a chemical agent will be introduced. When trying to stabilize old bone or fossil ivory, we'll mix duco cement with acetone. The acetone thins the cement and allows for deeper protection.
I don't know if this helps any, it just struck me as a similar end result.
Best, Jeff