Chemical Functional Definitions

Also known as optical brighteners, work by depositing on fabrics during laundering to enhance the brightness of light colored fabrics. Their effectiveness varies with the type of fabric and concentration in the wash water. Their effect is cumulative so new fabrics exhibit increased fluorescence after several washes. Optical brighteners/fabric whiteners are NOT bleach and cannot REMOVE color from a garment. In unusual instances they may create a stain that has the appearance of color loss.

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