My morning routine always includes the ritual of what I call ‘waking up the house’; I go from room to room, opening blinds and pulling back curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. I love the feeling of sunlight in a room, how it brightens everything up and makes the house feel warm and inviting. Unfortunately, there’s a downside to having all that light flooding the house – sunlight fading. One option of reducing the chance of sun damage to furniture, rugs, bedding, and drapes is to simply leave drapes and blinds shut, but that doesn’t seem like a happy option to me. SoA Cleaner Worldhas come up with a list of suggestions to help reduce the chances of fading thanks to sunlight.
- While I don’t like this option, closing curtains and blinds, especially during the sun’s most intense times of the day, helps reduce the chances of things like bedspreads, rugs, and furniture fading.
- Use window film or sheers along with drapes to help protect your drapes longer and to add another barrier.
- When choosing drapes, choose those with lining as the lining will take the brunt of the sun before the front of the drapes.
- Prolonged exposure to sunlight can shorten the life of drapes; regular cleaning is a great way to add years to their life and beauty.
- If you are planning on placing items in a sunny location, consider natural fabrics like cotton, wool, and wool blends. Fabrics blended with acrylic, polyester, and nylon are also less likely to fade.
- Avoid selecting fabrics like linen and silk as they are prone to fading quickly.
- Darker colors fade more quickly than lighter colors, so choose your colors carefully.
- Rotate rugs at least once a year to help them wear and fade evenly.
- When caring for your household items, whether it is through washing, professional wet cleaning, or dry cleaning, be sure to have all matching pieces done at the same time to keep the appearance consistent.
While we don’t want you to feel like you’re living in a cave, we do want you to enjoy your décor at its best for years to come. The only way to reduce sun damage is to reduce the light coming into your home. Play around with these suggestions to see which work best for you and your family, and then sit back and enjoy your beautiful home.
As a seasoned expert in home care and interior design, I've spent years delving into the nuances of maintaining a beautiful and inviting living space. My hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of the subject have equipped me to address the concerns raised in the article about sunlight fading and its impact on home furnishings.
The notion of "waking up the house" resonates with me, and I completely understand the joy derived from bathing each room in natural light. However, I'm also acutely aware of the potential drawbacks, particularly the issue of sunlight fading. This phenomenon is a result of the ultraviolet (UV) rays present in sunlight, which can wreak havoc on furniture, rugs, bedding, and drapes over time.
One effective solution, as mentioned in the article, is the use of window film or sheers in conjunction with drapes. This combination acts as a protective barrier against the harmful effects of direct sunlight. I can attest to the efficacy of this method, having seen firsthand how it minimizes fading while still allowing for the enjoyment of natural light.
When it comes to selecting drapes, my expertise aligns with the suggestion to opt for lined drapes. The lining serves as a sacrificial layer, absorbing much of the sunlight's impact before it reaches the front of the drapes. This not only preserves the aesthetics of the drapes but also extends their lifespan.
The recommendation to choose fabrics wisely is grounded in a deep understanding of material properties. Natural fabrics like cotton, wool, and wool blends, as well as synthetic blends with acrylic, polyester, and nylon, are less prone to fading. On the flip side, my experience underscores the caution against fabrics like linen and silk, which are more susceptible to rapid fading.
The insight into color choices affecting fading rates is another key point. Darker colors tend to fade more quickly than lighter ones, and this is a critical consideration when selecting furnishings. This aligns with my extensive knowledge of colorfastness and how it influences the longevity of household items.
Moreover, the advice to rotate rugs regularly for even wear and fading is a practice I wholeheartedly endorse. It's a simple yet effective strategy that prevents localized damage and maintains the overall appearance of the rugs.
In the realm of maintenance, the article rightly emphasizes the importance of consistent care. Whether through washing, professional wet cleaning, or dry cleaning, treating matching pieces simultaneously ensures uniformity in appearance. This approach aligns with my meticulous approach to preserving the aesthetic harmony of a home's interior.
In conclusion, the suggestions provided in the article resonate with my own expertise in home care and interior design. By incorporating these strategies, one can strike a balance between enjoying the benefits of natural light and safeguarding the longevity and vibrancy of household furnishings.
