Why dyes fade

If in doubt, bring your items to us and let our experts examine the them and determine if the fading can be stopped or reversed. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Classic Cleaners. November 15, Some of the dye might make its way through to the inside, but the process is designed to dye only one side. Color applied through pigment print dying tends to fade faster than vat dying.

One of the most intricate color processes is solution dye. This can only be done with synthetic fibers because the dye and fiber meet as liquids. Commonly used to dye Nomex flame-retardant materials and other garments comprised of multiple types of fibers, solution dye involves adding the dye directly to the liquid that will become the synthetic fiber.

The now-combined liquid is then extruded and cooled to form the fibers to be weaved into the finished product. Have you ever noticed that after a relatively short time all your black shirts and pants start to gray ever so slightly? Navy blue, dark green, dark red, dark brown and black will appear to fade faster because they are deeper into the color spectrum than white, tan or other lighter colors.

Rule of thumb: the darker the color, the more obvious the fade. Some apparel, especially in the tactical world, is finished with an additional layer, such as Durable Water Repellant DWR that helps the garment resist water and stains by not permitting liquid to penetrate the fibers.

The added — and originally unintended — benefit is that some DWR treatments also help reduce color fade, keeping the garment looking better longer. Quality Check. Once a dye process is chosen, then it must be checked for quality to make sure the exact shade has been successfully and consistently attained. The tolerance for deviation is extremely tight. Color appears different under different lighting. With the ability to reach cultures and peoples all over the world, we have access to the best natural dyes across the globe, so we get to chose the strongest dyes that last the longest.

Dyes such as indigo, madder, and plants high in tannins like oak, are known for their colorfastness i. We specifically use dyes known to last a long time, so they can easily survive through multiple washings, sun exposure, etc. If you have ever been to a museum and seen colored articles from before when synthetic dyes were invented , you would see first hand how long natural dyes can last. We use these exact same natural dyes. In caring for plant dyed clothing, we recommend storing the clothing in a dark place when not being worn like a closet or drawer and washing using a gentle cycle with a mild detergent.

Heat tools are the ultimate culprit of damaged hair. Colored hair is especially prone to breakage as it is and the application of heat only makes this worse. Rather than sacrificing your hair styling tools, invest in a heat protectant spray. Apply the solution to your hair before using your tools to protect your hair from the damaging effects of the heat. Water is supposed to help our hair, not hurt it.

But if you have hard water running through your pipes, you might be experiencing the latter. Hard water is composed of high amounts of calcium and magnesium, which can wear down hair.

As with sulfates, hard minerals can strip away dyes and healthy oils. The result? Brittle, discolored hair.