Fluorescent whitening agents (FWA) show striking differences in light fastness. Chemical mechanisms were found which account for these distinctions. In particular, the causes of yellowing of textiles by stilbene-type brighteners were substantiated. FWA contribute to the success of detergent industry in several ways, e.g., they improve the appearance of the laundry goods, they signal cleanliness,a nd they achieve a clearer perception of detergent efficacy (1,2). These benefits are lost if the laundry goods yellow as a result of poor light fastness. It is known that FWA differ in their light fastness. However, chemical mechanisms that can account for the differences among FWA types have not yet been described.
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