Favorite clothes lose their original appearance often due to the most simple physical processes that we do not think about in everyday life. When dye leaves the fabric fibers and dissolves in the water, the item not only becomes dull, but also risks spoiling the rest of the contents of the washing machine.
Main causes of color loss
The main factor that affects molting is loose pigment attachment on the fibers. During the fabric manufacturing process, the dye may be held in place by chemical bonds or simply settle on the surface of the yarns. There are several critical points that trigger color leaching:
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High water temperature. Hot water causes fabric fibers (especially natural fibers such as cotton and linen) to expand and “open up”, allowing dye particles to easily escape.
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Aggressive detergents. Powders with a high content of alkalis or bleaching components destroy the bonding structure between the dye and the material.
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Mechanical friction. Intensive spinning and prolonged washing literally “knock out” the pigment from the fabric, especially at folds and seams.
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Poor dyeing quality. Budget brands often skimp on the stage color fixationThe first contact with moisture causes the excess pigment to leach out.
How to recognize a dangerous thing in advance
You can check clothes for a tendency to color loss even before the first full-fledged washing. To do this, just moisten a small section of fabric with warm water and press a white paper napkin against it. If there is a distinct trace on the paper, the thing requires special care. Most often shed items bright colors (red, blue, black) and things from natural materialsThe synthetics are usually dyed at the stage of creation of the fiber itself and hold the color much stronger.
Rules for maintaining a rich color
To prolong the life of your closet, it’s important to follow basic laundry hygiene. Turning out clothes inside out minimizes the friction of the face against the drum. Use of special gels for colored laundry instead of universal powders helps to retain the pigment inside the fibers due to a softer composition. Modern manufacturers also offer special trap clothswhich attracts excess paint from the water, preventing it from settling on neighboring items.
Proper temperature control and color separation remain the surest ways to keep your closet looking its best for a long time.
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