Launder in UV Protection: Rit Sun Guard

By now most of us have become aware of the damaging effects the sun can have on our skin. We slather our children with sunscreen before sending them outdoors. We wear lotions with UV protection or even makeup that contains a sunscreen. But have you ever thought of wearing clothing with a UV Block?

Rit, a company known for it's fabric dye, has developed a new product called Sun Guard. Rit Sun Guard is a powder that you simply add to the regular wash cycle. The protection lasts through 20 laundry cycles. Chlorine bleach should not be used in the cycle in which you use the Sun Guard. But it is safe to add it to the following 20 cycles. It will not affect the protection quality. Rit Sun Guard will not discolor clothes or change their texture. Once your clothes have gone through a regular laundry cycle with Rit Sun Guard, they are permeated with UV protection. It is surprising to learn that a white tee shirt, laundered normally, gives an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 5 but the same tee shirt washed in Rit Sun Guard gives a UPF of 30. UPF differs from SPF in what exactly is measured. SPF measures the time it takes for the sun's rays to turn the skin red. According to John E. Adams, MD in the Skin Cancer Foundation Journal, "UPF measures the relative amount of ultraviolet radiation that penetrates a fabric and reaches the skin." By washing clothes in Sun Guard, you can block 96% of the sun's ultraviolet rays from getting through to your skin.

This is great for playing on the beach, working in the yard or even swimming in the pool. Sunscreen washes off during water play so it must be reapplied often. Unfortunately, we sometimes neglect to reapply it until it's too late and we're starting to turn pink. Rit Sun Guard remains effective when the clothing becomes wet, so your shoulders and back could be protected for as long as you wanted to stay in the water or play on the beach.

For those who are losing their hair and worry about getting the tender area of the scalp burned, washing a hat or cap in Rit Sun Guard may be an easy solution. With the fabric providing a UPF of 30, you could wear a thinner cap or even a bandana. You can be protected and remain cool.

Rit Sun Guard has been recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. A product must pass rigorous tests to be approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation and must be proven to provide the amount of protection claimed. Rit Sun Guard passed these tests and the Skin Cancer Foundation assures us that it does, indeed, provide a UPF of 30.

Dermatologists, too, are singing the praises of Rit Sun Guard. It is absolutely safe for those with even the most sensitive skin.

In the 21st Century, there is much talk about the damage to the ozone layer and the dangers of the sun. But we continue to flock to the beaches and pools when the hot summer days call us. Now we and our families can be a whole lot safer just by adding a little Sun Guard powder to our laundry.