Why do curtains fade, and why do white curtains turn yellow?
Updated
Sunlight fades and weakens every fabric over time, which is a normal part of how fabric ages. Light, ultraviolet and heat all play a part, and reds tend to fade most. A lining helps protect the face fabric. Whether white curtains look yellow depends on the fibre and the conditions, so ask your retailer.
Sunlight fades and weakens every fabric over time, some faster than others. This is a normal characteristic of textiles, not a fault in a particular curtain. Curtains that get a lot of sun show it most.
Why curtains fade
Fading is the slow breakdown of a fabric's dyes. Light, ultraviolet and heat all play a part, so it is not one cause on its own. Resene, the paint maker, makes the point in its guide to sun damage that visible light and heat fade furnishings, not ultraviolet alone. Ultraviolet exposure and the conditions in the room are part of the picture too.
Colour matters. Resene says research has shown that sun fading most affects colours that have red as a dominant element, so reds tend to fade most. Resene also says acrylic and polyester stand up to sunlight better than many other textiles.
Fading can also shift a colour instead of just lightening it, because the different dyes in a fabric break down at different rates. A new curtain hung beside an older one can look different in shade, even in the same colour, because the older one has had the sun.
Why white and pale curtains can look yellow
There is no single cause of yellowing that fits every fabric. Whether a white or pale curtain changes tone, and how quickly, depends on the fibre and on the conditions in the room. Your retailer knows which fabric you chose, so ask them what to expect from it.
What helps
- Lining. A lined curtain resists fading better than an unlined one, because the lining takes the sun in place of the face fabric.
- A fabric chosen for the window. Ask your retailer how the fabric you like behaves in strong sun.
- Air. Open windows and draw curtains back when you can. Damp air and condensation on the glass can lead to mould on the fabric nearest the window.
- Care instructions. Follow the care instructions for your fabric before washing, steaming or cleaning. They overrule any general advice, including this page.
| Fabric or colour | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Reds and colours with red in them | Tend to fade most, according to Resene. |
| Acrylic and polyester | Stand up to sunlight better than many other textiles, according to Resene. |
| Lined curtains | The lining takes the sun in place of the face fabric. |
| Sheers | Made without lining, so the fabric itself takes the sun. |
Your curtain retailer knows which fabric you chose and can give you its care instructions. Speedy Blinds makes curtains for retailers.
Other ways people ask this
Does sunlight damage curtains?
Yes. Sunlight fades and weakens every fabric over time, some faster than others. A lining helps protect the face fabric.
How can I stop curtains fading?
You cannot stop it, but a lining helps protect the face fabric. Ask your retailer which fabric suits a sunny window, and follow the care instructions.
Why have my white curtains gone yellow?
It depends on the fibre and the conditions in the room. Check the care instructions before cleaning, and ask your retailer about the fabric.
Do blockout curtains fade?
Yes, like any fabric. Sunlight fades and weakens every fabric over time.
This answer is general information. For your own windows, your retailer's advice and your order with them come first.