Drying in sun and shade and what it does to the colour

Short answer: Direct sun fades coloured clothes, especially green, red and blue. Dry coloured clothes in the shade and white ones in the sun if you want them to last longest.

Sun bleaches

Ultraviolet light breaks down dyes. A couple of hours in bright sun does more than many washes.

Inside out

If you hang the clothes inside out, the sun hits the side that is not seen. That is the easiest protection.

White takes the sun

Sun has a mild bleaching effect, and that is an advantage on white clothes. See how white clothes stay white.

Dark colours

Black and dark blue fade visibly in the sun. Dry them in the shade or indoors. See bamboo t-shirts for men.

Wind does the work

It is the movement of air and not the heat that dries fastest. A shady, airy spot is ideal.

Hangers

Heavy, wet pieces pull out of shape on thin hangers. Lay them flat or use wide hangers.

General washing

The rest of the rules are in the washing guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do clothes fade more from sun or from washing?

From sun, if they dry outdoors in bright light. Washing at 40 degrees fades very little.

Can white clothes dry in the sun?

Yes. The sun has a mild bleaching effect, which is an advantage on white.

How do I protect the colour?

Turn the clothes inside out and dry them in the shade.