Why Sun is Damaging for Clothes
Sunlight contains high levels of UV radiation which can be very damaging to clothing fabrics and dyes over time. Learning why the sun fades and breaks down clothing materials can help you know how to better protect your favorite garments.
Sunlight Fades Fabric Dyes
One of the most noticeable types of sun damage with clothing is fading of colors. The UV radiation from the sun weakens and degrades dye pigments in fabrics. With repeated exposure to sunlight, clothing colors will slowly but surely start fading. The degree of dye fading depends on factors like the type of dye itself and how much ultraviolet light the clothing absorbs.
Lighter and brighter colors containing weaker dye bonds tend to get damaged and faded faster. Clothing with darker or more saturated dye colors can better resist UV light rays. However, even deeply-dyed garments will succumb to fading with enough cumulative sun exposure. Protecting fabrics from sunlight can extend the longevity of bold, vibrant colors.
Fabrics Start Breaking Down
Aside from fading, sun exposure also impacts the actual textile fibers and materials clothing is made from. Just as sunlight damages human skin over time, it also causes structural and cellular degradation of fabric.
UV rays from the sun shorten cotton and linen fibers. Silk and wool garments become more brittle and start forming small tears and holes. With enough UV exposure, the overall integrity of fabric structures starts breaking down as materials wear, tatter and disintegrate faster than normal. Keeping fabrics constantly covered and out of the sun is key for extending the wearability of clothing.
Repeated UV Exposure Further Harms Clothing
The effects of sun damage are cumulative. The longer that fabrics are left uncovered under sunlight, the faster dyes will fade and materials will fall apart. Short-term exposure causes minimal effects, but letting clothing lay outside day after day in the sun leads to an acceleration of damage.
Without any protection from UV rays, fabrics can fade significantly in as little as one summer. More delicate fabrics like silks or linens may develop holes or rips after just weeks outside. Taking preventative measures against sunlight will prolong the durability and longevity of favorite garments.
How to Protect Clothes When Outdoors
When spending time outside during sunny weather, extra precautions need to be taken to keep clothing protected. Methods of shielding fabrics from direct sunlight will minimize damage from UV exposure.
Stay in The Shade or Cover Up
The simplest way to block UV rays from reaching clothing is to stay in shaded areas whenever possible instead of direct sun. Structures like patio covers, trees, gazebos, parasols and pop up tents all protect by creating shade.
Wearing sun hats, shawls or other accessories over clothing creates temporary barriers against sunlight. Umbrellas can also be held nearby both for personal shade and shielding garments underneath. Planning outdoor activities around early morning or late afternoon hours avoids peak sunlight times.
Minimize Hanging Clothes on The Line
Line drying clothing under the open sun should be minimized whenever possible. Investing in a clothes drying rack, placing it on covered patios or garages allows freshly washed fabrics to dry without direct UV exposure.
When hanging laundry outside is unavoidable, only leave needed items on the line for short periods instead of hours on end. Set timers to remember to take fabrics down quickly before prolonged sunlight starts to fade colors. Periodically shuffle hanging items around, rotating sections under shade for even drying and fading.
Use UV Protectant Products
Special sprays and laundry products add protective barriers onto clothing, helping resist UV damage. UV shielding sprays contain polymers that bond to fabric fibers, reflecting light rays away rather than letting them absorb and penetrate fabrics.
Laundry detergents and rinses with built-in UV blockers also minimize fading and breakdown during future wears. Treat fabrics with these protective UV treatments either before or immediately after purchasing new garments. Re-apply sprays after a certain number of washes as directed on labels.
Appropriate Cover and Storage
Clothing kept stored and covered indoors avoids sunlight exposure between wears. Using the right storage protections also creates UV barriers during extended periods in storage.
Cover Clothing Completely From Sun
During transport in cars or when temporarily laying garments somewhere outdoors, they should be completely shielded from sunlight. Keep clothing stored fully within opaque bags, under towels or weighed down firm under solid objects. Prevent stray sun rays from reaching even sections of apparel.
At outdoor events like concerts or fairs, carry full opaque garment bags for temporary cover between activities. During backyard functions, keep attire stored on beds or hangers indoors instead of laid over outdoor seating. Keeping garments constantly obscured prevents unexpected sun damage.
UV-Blocking Window Films and Curtains
For residences in consistently hot, sunny climates combination UV window films and blackout curtains provide sustainable protections inside. Blackout curtains placed over UV blocking window tints or films create full barriers against both visible light and UV rays from entering rooms.
Install these reinforced coverings at least over windows in rooms where clothing is stored long term, such as in dresser drawers or closets. The full light barriers keep stored fabrics constantly protected even with curtains periodically opened.
Opaque Containers for Storing Clothes
The most secure protection for off-season or specialty apparel involve keeping items fully encased inside opaque containers. Plastic storage bins with secure lids block all forms of light penetration over extended periods. Light-density woods, tightly-woven baskets and solid trunks also provide opacity.
Line these storage containers with acid-free, UV resistant tissue paper for added barriers. Keep containers positioned away from windows or sunlight exposure even inside residences for fullest protection. Only unpack garments needing use from opaque containers before carefully replacing them until the next wear.
How to Revive Sun Faded Garments
Despite preventative measures, you may eventually end up with sun-faded favorite pieces needing restoration. Several methods exist for renewing fading or unevenness due to UV damage. Know which garment revival technique works best based on the fading extent.
Restore Dyes or Bleach to Even Out Sun Fading
Mildly faded articles may benefit from dyes designed specifically for refreshing faded colors. Certain brands offer dye kits meant for blending into subtly lightened areas without fully re-dying entire garments. Alternately, applying bleach solutions and removing colors entirely then evenly re-dying to match original or new shades.
Repair Garments With Sun Degradation Damage
For delicate fabrics now dried out, torn or full of holes from sun damage, repairing the structural damage helps extend usefulness. Consult specialty fabric restoration experts for effectively darning holes, sewing reinforced linings or adding supportive patches.
Lighten Faded Parts to Blend In Fading
When small or irregular sections fade more than the rest of a garment, blanching methods potentially minimize visible unevenness. Carefully apply lemon juice or whitening bleach only onto the most intensely faded areas by dabbing. After lightening spots up, the transitions between new and old dye can blend together more smoothly. However bleaching risks further damaging fabrics so test first in inconspicuous sections.
.png){kind=small}