12 [Expert Tips] on How to Care for Your UPF Clothing

As more and more people become aware of sun-protective clothing, the benefits it provides, and the value of our products, we are seeing an influx of visitors to our website approaching us with questions such as:

How long does UPF clothing last?

Or ...

How should I wash my UV protective clothing?

It’s understandable that when spending your hard-earned dollars on clothing that is a bit more costly than other brands (usually manufactured abroad) you want to make sure you are getting value.

The good news? All of our products are manufactured in the USA, where the highest standards are used in both the manufacturing and the testing of our fabrics to make sure your satisfaction is guaranteed!

All of our garments are made with Luminology Technology® fabric.

This proprietary fabric has been infused with a plant-based oil, which gives it all of its functional properties without the use of any harmful chemicals.

Since the oil is woven into the fabric, our fabrics are naturally UPF 50+, wrinkle resistant, antimicrobial, temperature regulating, and quick drying.
Never coated with chemicals to attain functionality, our fabrics will last wash after wash after wash.

Want to know more about how to stretch your UV protective products’ lives longer? You are at the right place! Here, we share top 13 expert tips to protect your UPF clothing (AKA: UV protective clothing) or Sun-protective fabrics.

1. Wash or rinse your UV garments in cold water

Myth: Cold water does not clean cloth as well as warm water

Fact: Both modern washers and detergents (technically enzymes in detergents) are engineered for cold water and work well in temperatures as low as 60℉.

This tip is not just true of UV protective garments. Cold-water washing is less likely to shrink any fabric and will elongate the life span of most garments. Want to read more about the benefits of washing your clothing with cold water? 

2. In case you are using a washing machine, use the Delicate/Gentle/ Hand-wash cycle

The delicate cycle uses a ‘slow/slow/ combination, meaning that the washing cycle uses a slow or lesser degree of agitation and the spin cycle uses a slow spin to extract water from laundry.

The Gentle program aims to limit the wear and tear on your clothes, plus helps to prevent shrinking and breakdown of the fabric.

Note: It can, however, decrease the level of UPF in some cases.

3. If you use detergents, use the mildest one you can find

You may wonder what “mild detergent” is!

A mild detergent is free from perfumes and dyes and especially useful for anyone with sensitive skin.

So next time check if the detergent has tags like “for babies”, “sensitive skin”, “hypoallergenic” and make sure they are free of any dyes or perfumes.

4. Wash or rinse your sun protective clothing after every use

Make sure to rinse your garments after each wear, especially after exposure to chlorine.

Many fabrics are now “chlorine-resistant” (like ours) or even some claim to be “chlorine-proof”, but let me tell you the truth:

No fabric is completely immune to chlorine! Always rinse your clothes after swimming in a pool.

5. Don’t wring out your UPF clothing

If you have any delicate garment in hand, never forget this tip!

At Luminora, we infuse the yarn of all our fabrics with a plant-based oil which naturally decreases the space between the fibers that UV rays can pass through, which is the most long-lasting and nature-friendly method in UPF fabric production.

Having this in mind, wringing out your clothing and stretching it intensely can decrease the UPF level of your sun-protective clothing.

What to do instead?

Wrap a towel around your UPF clothing and try to soak up the moisture. Then wash it as soon as you can.

6. Keep your UPF garments out of direct sunlight when attempting to dry them

For best results, lay your UV protective clothing out to dry or hang them. Since the fabric has weight, laying them on the surface works best to avoid stretching the fabric.

7. Avoid rough surfaces

Although all of our garments are made to resist rough surfaces, in order to maximize their life, avoid sitting on or rubbing against rough surfaces which may cause snagging. In addition, always shake the sand out before and after drying to avoid micro-scratches.

8. Do not bleach, tumble dry, dry clean or iron your garments

An undeniable fact about UV protective fabrics:

They are all delicate!

So using aggressive cleaning methods can damage the fabric which in turn will lead to a decrease in the level of UPF.

Delicate clothing, whether they have been hand-washed or washed on a delicate cycle, generally need to be air-dried.

That means “dried by sitting out in the air,” not tumbled in a hot-air drier, and the best way to do that is lying the garments on a flat surface.

Some delicate fabrics can be hung on a clothesline, but others will crease where they're folded over the rope.

Clothespins can be even harder on fragile weaves and can leave permanent dimples in the garment.

9. Never let a stain sit

Quick pre-treatment can make a huge difference between a short, effective hand-wash and aggressive washing method.

As soon as possible, wet stains with plain water. Organic stains made from animal proteins (blood, fat, etc.) can “cook” to permanence if you use hot water, so always keep it lukewarm or cold.

Dab the water onto the stained cloth from behind the stain, and set it to face down on a paper towel or other neutral, absorbent cloth.

10. Do not pack cloth when wet or damp

Amongst the many properties, our Luminology Technology provides is the ability to resist wrinkles.

This does not mean the garments will remain100% wrinkle free. By making sure your UPF clothing is dry before packing and hanging them immediately after unpacking, you will avoid unwanted wrinkles

Hot water can break down the garment’s fibers and shrink them permanently. Avoid washing your garments with hot water and rinse after use in a hot tub.

12. Apply sunscreen to areas “not covered” by your garments

Most sunscreens contain harsh chemicals that can permanently stain fabrics. By allowing sunscreen to dry prior to wearing clothing, you can easily avoid unwanted stains.

Do it at least 15-30 minutes before putting on your sun protective clothing

Conclusion

No matter which type of UPF clothing you choose to purchase, you can easily follow the above-mentioned tips confidently and be sure to maximize the longevity of the UPF level.  

But make sure NO dyes or chemicals have been used to treat the fabric in order to attain the UPF rating.  

In those cases, no matter how carefully you handle your garments, the chemicals wash out after a few washes, exposing your skin to the harmful affects of the sun and our  environment to harmful chemicals.  

Now go enjoy your moments in the sun happily and freely and stay assured Luminora has got your back! ;)