Everyone has faced a situation when a new bright blue shirt or black dress after a few washes turn into something gray and lifeless. Loss of color, or pigment leachingis a complex process that depends on the chemical composition of the fabric, the quality of the dye and external influences. Understanding why this happens can help to significantly extend the life of your closet.
The main enemies of saturated colors
Clothes lose their original appearance under the influence of several aggressive factors:
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Hard water. Calcium and magnesium salts react with detergents to form an invisible deposit on the fibers. This not only makes the fabric rough, but also “eats away” the luster.
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High temperature. Hot water causes the fibers of the fabric to expand, making it easier to escape dye molecules outward. This is especially true for natural materials such as cotton and linen.
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Sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation breaks the chemical bonds in pigments. Photodegradation occurs even in cloudy weather if the clothes are dried outdoors.
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Aggressive surfactants. Many powders contain optical brighteners or active ingredients that literally burn out the color along with the stains.
Features of different types of fabrics
Not all materials hold paint in the same way. Synthetic fiberssynthetic fibers, such as polyester or nylon, are usually dyed at the yarn creation stage and are therefore more resistant. In contrast, natural fabrics absorb dye superficially. If the pigment fixing technology has been disturbed in the production process, shedding will begin at the first contact with water.
An important role is also played by mechanical friction. During washing in the drum, the pile of the fabric is damaged, microscopic damage to the fibers is formed. Because of this, light is refracted differently, and it appears to the human eye that the item has become paler, although the pigment has partially remained in place.
Specialized treatments can help prevent color loss laundry gelsThe use of conditioners and turning clothes inside out before loading them into the machine. Proper temperature control and avoidance of direct sunlight when drying can preserve the depth of color for years to come.
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