The kit · light
Sunlight: what it removes and where never to use it
Direct sun: its ultraviolet and blue light break down many organic pigments, including curcumin, carotenoids and the bile pigments in baby poop.
- pH
- n/a
- Safe on
- 0 materials
- Never on
- 0 materials
- Used in
- 38 files
01 How to use it
Lay the damp, washed item stain-up in direct sun for a few hours; repeat on another day if needed.
- It fades dyes along with the stain.
How it works
Sunlight's ultraviolet and blue light break down many natural pigments over a few hours, at the cost of fading dyes as well.
Avoid routine home use on clothes, jeans, linen, polyester, leggings, a wool sweater, silk, rayon, a wool rug, a couch, velvet and leather. The table gives general restrictions; an unlisted restriction is not proof that a product is compatible.
02 What it works on
- Oil-soluble pigment
- Dye
- Living mould
Sunlight is strongest against oil-soluble pigment, and useful on dye and living mould. It is part of the method in 38 stain files, for stains such as tomato sauce, turmeric, mustard, beetroot, sunscreen and breast milk.
03 Where it is safe
| Material | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes | Avoid | Sun fades the dye along with the stain. |
| Jeans | Avoid | Sun fades the dye along with the stain. |
| Linen | Avoid | Sun fades the dye along with the stain. |
| Polyester | Avoid | Sun fades the dye along with the stain. |
| Leggings and activewear | Avoid | Sun fades the dye along with the stain. |
| Wool and cashmere | Avoid | Sun yellows wool and weakens silk. |
| Silk | Avoid | Sun yellows wool and weakens silk. |
| Rayon and viscose | Avoid | Sun fades the dye along with the stain. |
| Wool rug | Avoid | Sun yellows wool and weakens silk. |
| Fabric couch | Avoid | Sun fades the dye along with the stain. |
| Velvet upholstery | Avoid | Sun fades the dye along with the stain. |
| Leather | Avoid | Sun dries and fades leather. |
| White shirt | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Sheets and bedding | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Towels | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Baby clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Carpet | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Microfiber couch | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Car seats | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Mattress | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Suede and nubuck | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White sneakers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Marble | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Granite | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Quartz countertop | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Wood furniture and floors | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Tile grout | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Painted walls | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Plastic containers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
04 How the files use it
Sunlight appears in 38 stain files. The steps it is used in most:
- Finish in the sun (26 files): Sunlight's ultraviolet and blue light break down the plant pigment left in the fibres.
- Lemon, salt and sun (7 files): The orange is an iron compound, so it comes out with an iron remover, not a detergent. Citric acid pulls iron into solution, and sunlight speeds it up.
- Sunny windowsill (4 files): Sunlight breaks down the stain pigment that soap cannot reach inside the plastic.
- Peroxide and sun (1 file): Peroxide and UV both lighten the browned cellulose.
05 Files that use it
- Tomato sauce and ketchup on white shirt
- Turmeric and curry on white shirt
- Mustard on white shirt
- Beetroot on white shirt
- Sunscreen on white shirt
- Breast milk on sheets
- Drool and yellow pillow stains on sheets
- Baby poop on sheets
- Baby food purée on baby clothes
- Lily pollen on white shirt
- Rust on white shirt
- Mildew and mould spots on white shirt
- Scorch marks on white shirt
06 Myth files
- Does sunlight remove stains? Sun genuinely fades some pigments (turmeric, tomato, baby poop, some yellowing) but it fades dyes in coloured fabric too.
- Does sunlight remove baby poop stains? Yes: bile pigments in breastfed-baby poop break down in sunlight. Wash first, then sun.
07 Questions
What stains does sunlight remove?
It works best on oil-soluble pigment, dye and living mould, which is why it appears in the files for tomato sauce, turmeric, mustard, beetroot and sunscreen.
How do you use sunlight safely?
Lay the damp, washed item stain-up in direct sun for a few hours; repeat on another day if needed. It fades dyes along with the stain.
What should you never mix with sunlight?
This reference cannot establish that any commercial cleaner has no dangerous mixing partner. Do not combine cleaners unless their exact manufacturers explicitly permit the use; rinsing alone does not establish compatibility for later treatment.
Where should you never use sunlight?
Nowhere on file is ruled out completely, but check the material file before using it on anything delicate.