Why do black T-shirts discolorate in the sun?

Question

Why do black T-shirts discolorate in the sun?

Answer 1

The sun has a bleaching effect on things.. It can also lighten your hair..

Answer 2

the sun bleaches the colours in your black t-shirt. have you ever noticed peoples hair gets lights during the summer? same thing. but your hair goes dark again because it keeps growing. your t-shirt doesnt grow.

Answer 3

All colors do by the UV rays.

It breaks down the structure of the chemical dyes used to make them.

Answer 4

The color spectrum (from the sun) has a effect on the black color. The black t-shirt begins to absorb the colors from the spectrum discoloring it.

Answer 5

chuck norris

Answer 6

absorb the light.

Answer 7

The sun has a bleaching effect. If you leave your white T-shirt out in the sun, it will get whiter.

Answer 8

Because black is not a naturally occuring color. The dyes they use to make black are artificial, and in sunlight break down into their component colors. (Which usually ends up being dark blue)

It's the same reason you rarely see the color black in nature. Really the only thing that occurs black normally is oil-based... such as plastic, oil, etc. I think even that is technically a really really dark green.

I've included links to some dye information and a site with tips on keeping black clothes from fading.

Answer 9

because the sun oxidizes them so they turn white

Answer 10

discolor discolorate is not a word... cuz it chemically changes the dies

Answer 11

It isn't only black. Most everything discolors in the sun over time. Ultraviolet light causes the color to fade in virtually every surface left in the sun.

Answer 12

just like the sun lightens hair... it just does.

Answer 13

All I know is not to wear black in the sun... Black is color that obsorbs every color in light and converts it into heat, just making you hotter. White is the color that reflects ever color. If you're wearing a red shirt it would obsorb yellow, blue, green, purple, pink, ect. and reflect red. If it is blue it would obsorb red, yellow, blue, green, purple, wtv. I just dont wear black shirts in the summer.

Answer 14

All things fade in the sun, and washing will pull color from it as well