UVdamage and how to minimise it

UV damage and how to minimise it

- WITH TRACEY AND THE TEAMAT FRAZERHURST

No matter how hard we try, fading on our curtains, blinds and drapes is inevitable but leading fabric brand James Dunlop has advice that can help you minimise the damage.

Howthis damage occurs is complex. Ultraviolet light spurs a reaction between thewater present infabric andatmosphericoxygento createhydrogen peroxide. This isa bleaching agent and breaks down the chemical bonds that give dyes theircolour. It’s notactually the fabricfading, it’s the dye itself.

Additionally, as the chemical bonds break down within theyarn, thefabriccan become brittle andweakmaking it more susceptibleto breakage.

The effectsofUVdamage aren’t immediate, it’s agradual process increasing in impact over time, leavingyour curtains, cushions and upholsteryfabric lookingfaded andworn.

You canhave UV damage from direct and indirect light– with light bouncing offsurfaces withinyour home.

The best fibre type in high sun environments is definitely solution dyed acrylic, olefin orpolyolefinfollowed very closelybypolyester.

Of natural fibres,cottonand linen have quite good sunresistance with quality dye stuff, much more thanfor example, silk.

Tips: • Installa goodquality lining behindyour curtains, which hasa highUVrating. Not only does this provide insulation from heat andcold and block out all lightfor restful sleep but it will helptoprotect your curtains from sun damage overtime. • Ensure there is plenty ofroomtostackback your curtains which limits direct contact of sunlight ontothe front edges ofyour curtains and willextend theirlife. • Swap curtains occasionally from one side of the tracktotheother, to avoid having one edge constantlyexposedtosunlight, reducing the visibility of anycolourchange. • Invest insheers (or sun screenroller blinds) that will filter the sunlight enteringyour home, offering privacy, aswell asreducing the sun’simpact • Applya UV window tint. These will drasticallyreduce the amount ofUV light enteringyour space, saving not just yourfabrics butyour flooring, walls and hard furniture aswell.

Bytaking some of these simplesteps, you couldextend the life of your soft furnishings andkeep them beautifulfor years tocome. https://jamesdunloptextiles.com/ journal/tips-how-to/2020-unravelingtextile-testing-colourfastness

None of uswanttofade with age and,atFrazerhurstCurtains and Blinds with Weathermaster®, we canhelp minimise the signs offading- on your soft furnishingsatleast.

Tip:

Leading edges of curtains are suscptible to fading. If fading occurs, a cost effective soluction is to swap the curtains so that the exposed leading edge becomes positioned against the wall and vice versa.

Visit our showroomfor the bestwindowdressing advise available locally. 146Lower DentSt– that’s theWhangārei Town Basin.

Protect home furnishings

from harmful UV rays

None of us want to fade with age and at Frazerhurst Curtains and Blinds with Weathermaster® we can help minimise the signs of fading on your soft furnishings at least.

Visit our showroom for the best window dressing advice available locally

SOLUTIONS TAILORED TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS 146 Lower Dent St, Whangarei | Ph 09 438 3986 www.frazerhurst.co.nz Email: info@frazerhurst.co.nz

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