Question

107. Generally, the colors of clothes fade away on repeated washing or on exposure to intense sunlight gradually. Explain with a reason.

Answer 1

Part 1: Colour fading due to repeated washing:

Bright colors in clothes are due to the dye in them. But the colors do fade away on repeated washing. Some of the factors which contribute to pulling out the bright color from our clothing:

• The temperature and salinity of water affect the reaction with the detergent.
• The friction from agitation causes the dye to come loose from the clothes.
• The type of detergent used also affects the dye.
• Bleeding and fading of the dye occur if it is not well-set.

Part 2: Colour fading due to exposure to intense sunlight:

• Exposure of clothing to intense sunlight can also create a type of fading in some clothes called chemical fading.
• It happens as a result of a chemical reaction between the sun’s UV rays and the dye in the clothing, causing the dye to break down.
  The dye contains chromophores which impart color and auxochrome which is responsible for the intensity of color gets reduced due to exposure to UV light, therefore, the color fades.
• Drying of clothes should be done in a shade rather than in open sunlight.