Ageing (textiles)

Alright kiddo, let's talk about how things get old, specifically fabrics like your clothes or blankets. When items get old, they start to show signs of ageing like wear and tear, fading colors, and even holes. This all happens because of a process called "degradation". Basically, when fabrics are exposed to things like sunlight, water, or heat, they can slowly start to break down.

Imagine you have a piece of paper and you hold it up to the sun for a long time. Eventually, the paper will start to turn yellow and brittle. This is what happens to fabrics too - with enough exposure to the sun, they can lose their original color and become weaker. When fabrics are exposed to water or heat, they can also shrink or even start to pull apart.

Sometimes, items can be treated with special chemicals or stored in specific conditions to slow down the ageing process. Other times, it's just a natural part of life and it's important to take care of our belongings so they last as long as possible!