Which Fabric Fades Faster: Synthetic Or Cotton?

Not all types of fabric area created equal. Some last longer and are more durable than others. while some hold color better or are softer. Synthetic fabric tends to hold dye better than natural fabrics such as 100 percent cotton fabric. Thus, cotton fabric fades faster. Cotton fabric is woven from white fibers extracted from the cotton plant. All cotton fabric is naturally white or off-white. Thus, any cotton fabric that is colored has been dyed. Synthetic fabric is always dyed and is created from man-made fibers.

There are two main causes of fading, chemical and physical wear and tear. Chemical fading happens when a chemical reaction takes place in the fabric, which causes it to lose its pigment. Chemical reactions occur depending on the type of dye used, the drying process, the temperature and the humidity. Sunlight is a common cause of fading. The UV radiation causes the dye to break down chemically in the fabric. Physical wear and tear can also remove wear out the dye and cause the fabric to fade.

While most type of cotton fabric do not fade easily, some are dyed in a unique manner that makes it more susceptible to fading. This includes denim, which is a thick fabric woven from cotton fibers. Manufacturers brush denim with dye so that it only lays on the surface. This prevents the dye from touching, and perhaps dyeing, your skin. This causes fabric that is only dyed on one side to fade quickly.

Just like natural fabric, synthetic fabric has a wide variety of types. Some types, such as acetate, will fade in the sun easily, while others such as polyester, will hold the dye well and resist fading. Fade-resistant fabrics are treated with a chemical solution that protects the dyed-fibers from fading due to chemical changes or physical pressure. Thus, some types of synthetic fabric might fade faster than cotton fabric while others will take longer to fade.

Prevent any fabric from fading by turning it inside out when you put it through a washing machine or before you hang it out to dry. Don't dry clothes in the sun if you are concerned about them fading as the UV light will only accelerate the fading process. Purchase fade resistant fabric for outdoor upholstery that will be subjected to physical wear and tear as well as chemical pressure to fade.