Q & A Forum Topics
Have your Whites or Pastel Fabrics become dull or yellowed?
Back to topic listWhat does it look like when this happens?
The appearance can vary, depending on the cause. In some cases, the entire fabric takes on a dingy or yellow cast, while in other instances, the yellowing appears on areas that were directly exposed to light and atmospheric conditions.
The appearance can vary, depending on the cause. In some cases, the entire fabric takes on a dingy or yellow cast, while in other instances, the yellowing appears on areas that were directly exposed to light and atmospheric conditions.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
What caused it?
Some white and pastel coloured fabrics contain optical brighteners or fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) applied during manufacturing which decompose and discolour. Such rapid decomposition can occur from many factors including dry cleaning and steam finishing, washing with alkaline detergents or bleach, exposure to light, or prolonged storage conditions. Alkalines will destroy on wool, silk and nylon. Chlorine bleach will destroy FWAs on wool, silk, nylon, rayon, and acetate.
Some white and pastel coloured fabrics contain optical brighteners or fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) applied during manufacturing which decompose and discolour. Such rapid decomposition can occur from many factors including dry cleaning and steam finishing, washing with alkaline detergents or bleach, exposure to light, or prolonged storage conditions. Alkalines will destroy on wool, silk and nylon. Chlorine bleach will destroy FWAs on wool, silk, nylon, rayon, and acetate.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
Can it be prevented?
On items that have been processed according to the care label, decomposition of the brightener cannot be prevented. The problem can only be prevented by the manufacturer using more stable brighteners.
On items that have been processed according to the care label, decomposition of the brightener cannot be prevented. The problem can only be prevented by the manufacturer using more stable brighteners.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
Is there a remedy?
In most cases there is no remedy since optical brighteners or fluorescent whitening agents cannot be re-applied to most fabrics. However, on some washable fabrics, a wet cleaning and reapplication of whitening agents will sometimes restore these items to a usable condition.
In most cases there is no remedy since optical brighteners or fluorescent whitening agents cannot be re-applied to most fabrics. However, on some washable fabrics, a wet cleaning and reapplication of whitening agents will sometimes restore these items to a usable condition.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
