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Optical Brighteners in Clothing: Effects on White Knitwear
Optical brighteners in clothing are fluorescent compounds that absorb ultraviolet light and emit some of that energy as visible light, often with a blue-violet component. This can make white or pale fabrics appear brighter by visually offsetting yellowish tones. They do not remove stains or bleach fibers in the same way as chemical bleaching agents. Their effect depends on the fiber, formulation, processing conditions, lighting, and subsequent care.
