Optical brighteners are synthetic chemicals that are added to various consumer goods, including textiles, paper products, and personal care products, to enhance their brightness and whiteness. They work by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light and re-emitting it in the blue region of the visible spectrum, giving the product a brighter and whiter appearance.
Optical brighteners are commonly used in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and other laundry-related products to brighten and whiten clothing. They are also used in paper products, such as copy paper and cardboard, to make them appear brighter and whiter.