Optical brighteners or fluorescent whitening agents are chemical compounds that are added to laundry detergents to make whites appear brighter and cleaner.
By reflecting UV light these agents make colors appear more vivid and whites more luminous.
As such optical brighteners are becoming more and more popular in laundry detergents.
How Do Optical Brighteners Work?
Optical brighteners work by absorbing light in the ultraviolet spectrum and then re-emitting it in the visible spectrum.
This means that any whites that contain optical brighteners will be brighter as the brighter light emitted by the brighteners will be seen as a brighter shade of white.
The Benefits of Optical Brighteners
The main benefit of optical brighteners is their ability to make whites appear whiter brighter and cleaner.
The use of these brighteners has been a longstanding practice in the laundry industry and they’re becoming even more popular as companies are increasingly emphasizing the importance of bright whites.
Optical brighteners also help maintain the color of whites as they prevent colors from fading or dulling with washing and drying.
This is especially important when washing brightly colored fabrics as they could easily fade if not properly cared for.
Are There Any Disadvantages of Optical Brighteners?
Though optical brighteners are often perceived as a positive addition to laundry detergents there have been some concerns about their potential effects on the environment.
Some studies have suggested that the molecules used to make optical brighteners can break down into smaller molecules which can be harmful to aquatic life.
To address these concerns many of the optical brighteners used in laundry detergents today are designed to biodegrade quickly.
Additionally many detergents are designed to be phosphate-free which helps to reduce the amount of chemicals entering into the environment.
Conclusion
Optical brighteners are an important part of many laundry detergents as they help to make whites appear brighter and cleaner.
Though there are some environmental concerns associated with the use of these brighteners the majority of laundry detergents use biodegradable optical brighteners that are safe for the environment.