The Best Sun Blocking Clothing For Gardeners is often common sensel Are you a just now having time for a garden as the kids are grown? Or are you a life long gardener?
Wearing the best sun blocking clothing for gardeners will keep your skin safer.
With the season for gardening changing to a fall garden interests, it is still hot out there. Time spent in the garden will often be some time in the hot and direct sun.
If you aren’t prepared for the high humidity heat that we have, you may get your booty kicked before noon!
Finding Practical Clothing for Skin Protection
You more experienced gardeners out there are probably nodding along with me right now.
If you are just breaking ground on your first time to grow on your own, you might not be paying attention. Who knew it would get so hot? The sun is so intense and dangerous!
Ok so, spending time in your garden is supposed to be a refreshing break from the hurry-hurry rustle and bustle of your everyday world?
Yes, it sure is! But, remember, the sun is still dangerous. You will need to protect your skin.
An important part of a gardener’s protection from the dangers of the sun is clothing, your own or clothes made out of new space-age fabrics. Best sun blocking cothing for gardners is an important part of staying safe from skin cancer.
The Minimun Basics For Gardners Best Sun Blocking Clothing
A sun hat is the most important!
Your sunglasses come next, yes, even to garden you need your eyes protected.
A sunblocking loose fitting long sleeve shirt.
Add sunscreen to cover what is not covered with sun blocking clothing. Wearing a loose lightweight shirt and your sun hat feels better than sunscreen that you must continually reapply.
For gardening chores before 9 AM, my sun blocking gardening workwear consists of a lightweight long sleeve shirt and pants, a bandana around my forehead, and tennis shoes. This is with full spectrum sunscreen for my face and neck. I have enough age lines already!
This is for drinking that first cup of coffee while out looking at my garden, from May to November. Other months, I am only out to weed as the winter gardening urge has not overcome me yet!
Then I will know which tools need to go with me and by 9 AM, the sun hat, sunglasses, will all help to protect me from the sun.
Risk Levels
I am at high risk for skin cancer, and sunburn quickly. Do you know your risk level?
Risk factors for sunburn include:
Having light skin, blue eyes, and red or blond hair.
Then do you live or, are you vacationing where it is sunny, warm? (like central Texas) Living or vacationing at a high altitude?
Do you work outdoors.? If you have any of this going on, you are at a higher risk for sun damage, regardless of skin tone.
So the important part of a gardener’s sun blocking defence is clothing, what you already have or some of the clothes made out of new space age fabrics.
Our garden isn’t in the shade. However, when just helping in the yard with raking leaves and hauling leaves and piling leaves I get some shade. I do wear long sleeve shirts and sunglasses with my sun hat.
I have been careless too long. Have you been as careful as you should have?
Using The Best Sun Blocking Clothing For Gardners
Knowing how to stay comfortable in the heat and protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays is important for safely enjoying your time in the garden. Don’t forget that the sweat can start quickly when you are a gardener in our warmer areas.
It is important to know the basics of how to protect from the heat and sun. Too many start out determined to get it all done today. Gardening is a fairly big job and will take a while, even when just making a small flower bed.
You will need to take frequent breaks in the shade and drink lots of water. Your sun blocking hat and sunglasses with a loose fitting long sleeve shirt will help keep the sun from reaching your skin. You will also need to pace yourself.
Plan Your Work
Plan your work. Can you work on the shady side of the house in the afternoon? Maybe the afternoon is a better time to work.
Scheduling work when you can avoid the time from 10 AM until 4 PM is definately upping your protection game.
Make sure you drink enough water.
Armed with awareness you’ll be better prepared for whatever the summer throws at you.
Thinking About Sun and Heat Protection
Coming up with a plan to provide the sun and heat protection you need for safety for yourself is one you can do.
When dealing with the sun, you have a checklist with boxes to ensure you’re prepared.
Do You Even Need to Be In the Sun?
The easiest item to check off of this list is: do you even need to be in the sun? Is there something you can do in the shade, save that sunny spot for earlier tomorrow, or much later this afternoon?
Finding a shady spot where you can work is vital to getting through a long day of gardening. Most who are not employed as gardeners will not be trying for a full day out in the garden. Not even in the lower heat times.
Think through the chore list for today and work around your yard with a plan to stay in the shadiest areas. Staying in the broken shade can help protect you and keep your heat lower. Any shade is better than no shade.
Staying out of the sun is a good idea for senior citizens to make sure they have a good gardening session.
Drinking Plenty Of Water
Keeping hydration level is is absolutely vital when we’re talking about sun and over heating protection. Enough fluids will give you an extra advantage for surviving a work session in the heat and sun. Drinking enough water even slows the damage to your skin.
While you are generally supposed to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (64 ounces total), when you’re out in the heat you’ll probably need more than that. I find I need more than that.
Keeping a good healthy water supply within reach will help make sure you are reaching for what you need. Taking breaks to rest a minute in the shade is important as well.
Drink plenty of fluids if you are working out all day. Nibbling on some pretzels or other salty snacks is good as well. A little bit of sodium is necessary for your body to keep your electrolytes in balance. Especially with the extra water, you will be drinking. Light snacking isn’t a bad thing to keep things balanced out.
Wear Some Physical Protection
If you are going to be out in the direct sun, you will need to get some physical protection between your skin and the sun.
From sun blocking hats to sunglasses to long-sleeve shirts and pants, to an umbrella and a sun blocking portable canape. You need a physical barrier to keep the sun off your skin and help to keep you from overheating and getting a sunburn.
Hats Where Your Best Sun Blocking Clothing For Gardeners Starts
Baseball caps are great in their own way, but take a backseat to the function and style of a wide-brimmed hat.
Straw hats are my favorite because of how light and airy they are. A good-quality sunhat is a worthwhile investment.
Hunt for a hat with a brim that is at least 3 inches wide. Four inches is even better. The material the hat is woven from should be tight enough woven to keep out the sun. A tightly woven straw or fabric will give you a great deal of wear and protection.
The style is important, but your goal is to keep the sun off. Off of your face, your neck, and anywhere else that it’s possible to cover, so a wide brim will provide an easy solution.
If you are caught with only a baseball cap consider adding a bandanna around the back of your neck, and over your ears. This can help to keep the sun from beating directly on your neck and ears, the places that can burn quickly. A high number of skin cancers start on the ears and back of your neck.
Are Sunglasses Important For Gardners?
A good pair of sunglasses offers a world of protection for your eyes. And you need that protection, because your eyes are extra sensitive to UV rays.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, exposure to UV light can damage the eyes, contributing to macular degeneration, cataracts, and conjunctival cancer. This is extremely important to consider.
Choose a pair that blocks out 99%+ of UV rays and at least 75% of the light from the sun. You can get away with less, but taking good care of your eyes is a worthwhile investment.
When you are in the garden, don’t take chances with the sun damaging your eyes. Oversized or wraparound frames offer more protection to your eyes.
Just A Bit More About Sun Hats
Some hats have a desert-dweller-style cloth to go over the back of your neck that acts as a shade cover. While not a favorite, this style is worn by many people, simply because it works so well! I could probably get used to wearing this style, I just am not out enough for that to happen.
On the hottest days, I’ll put a fabric wrapped cooling wrap around my neck to provide extra protection from those rays. (I am not out working if it is that hot but at a ball game.)
The cooling agent in the cooling wraps work very well. We have several, so there are several brands out there. Any time you can get something between you and the sun, you are staying safer.
Long Sleeves? Yes Please!
Pairing a thin and loose fitting long sleeve shirt made from breathable material with light, breathable pants can make a huge difference for you in the heat. Cool wicking clothing has been a pleasant surprise to me. It is lightweight, and also can be sun blocking as well.
Not only is the sun damaging and dangerous to your skin, but direct exposure also makes you so much hotter. When you wear a protective barrier, you’re guaranteed to shave a few degrees off the day.
Does wearing more seem counterintuitive? Think about the image of desert-dwelling people wearing layers of loose-fitting clothing in the blistering heat.
The clothing creates an air pocket that acts as a layer of insulation between your skin and the sun, helping to regulate your body temperature.
Loose clothing also allows for some airflow so that perspiration can evaporate, keeping you cooler and more comfortable.
Best Sun Blocking Clothing For Gardners
The ultimate clothing to protect you from the sun at high noon on a hot direct sun day? That would be tightly woven head to toe black fabric!
Tightly woven to allow very few rays to reach your skin.
Black because the dark colors have dye to absorb more UV rays. Most of us would have trouble working in some of the long layers of black clothing for what we do.
Remember, the desert people have few gardens, but would probably change to a practical base wardrobe to work in what they have..
However a combination of the right summer clothes with sunscreen can do a decent job of protection. When dressing to be out in the direct sun the idea is to cover as much skin as you can.
Shopping Your Closet For Sun Blocking Clothes
When you know what to look for, your closet will probably surprise you. You probably already have a start for your basic sun blocking clothing.
Unbleached cotton has pigments in it that act as UV absorbers, making it a great choice. Then you have shiny polyesters and satiny silk. They work because they reflect the radiation. Your best sun blocking clothing for gardners can also be practical.
Leave those bleached cotton shirts, stretchy knits and those loosely woven materials as well as anything that is worn and threadbare. Let them stay in the closet, they are not what you need, at least as they are now. I do have a suggestion for how to use those if that is what you have.
A product called Rit Sun Guard can improve the shirts and pants you have to give you better protection from the damaging suns rays. Sun Guard is found in the grocery store or where you get laundry products. I am sure Walmart and other online sources can help you if your local store is out.
How The Additive Works
A single package was about $ 4 the last time I bought it. The active ingredient, Tinosorb FD penetrates clothing fibers and absorbs UV light instead of letting it pass through to your skin.
Adding Rite Sun Guard to a hot wash can boost the UPF of a favorite white T shirt to 30! This applies for even when it is wet which is when most fabrics lose their protective abilities.
The guide to making sure you get the most protection from the sun for a garment is how tightly woven it is and the fiber type and color. So improved protection is what you get. Any time you can beef up your protection you are better off.
Sun Guard doesn’t affect the way the shirt looks. It will also work its magic on white and light color cotton, linen, rayon and silk, However, it will not penetrate synthetics like polyester or acrylic.
This protection should last through washing 20 times, according to the manufacturer. Most laundry detergents that make clothes look whiter or brighter will also improve the UV protection in your ordinary clothes.
Even the ones you bought before you knew you should wear sun blocking clothing.
So for some of us, there is a reasonably priced workaround and still, be protected from the sun.
Sun Blocking Clothing For Gardening?
Are you ready to shop for a new sun blocking shirt and see what all this talk we now hear is all about? You will have many choices. You can also buy them in most retail locations now. Sun Protective clothing is everywhere. And yes we need to wear it year around, not just the summer.
The styles are cut to protect as much skin as possible while still looking stylish. Just remember to read the labels of your new purchases and follow laundering directions. These are new fabrics and you will need to learn to take care of your purchase.
The knits feel light and airy. My daughter says her long sleeve rash guard is very comfortable and cool to wear. She wears the guard as a casual top to my grandson’s baseball and early fall football games.
I bugged Coolibar until I got an answer about how long the garments last and provide protection for our skin. The customer service said that they consider a garment to have a life of 3 years. In that length of time, the wear and just general deterioration of the garment will mean that the sun protection is less stable.
You Now Know A Seceret For Longer Wear Life for Sun Blocking Clothing?
So, just keep in mind that they don’t keep you protected forever. When the items are worn and losing the protection, remember Rite Sunguard additive.
By adding the Sunguard fabric treatment, you can wear them longer and stay safe. (Not a part of Coolibar’s statement, that is just a suggestion of mine) By now they may be a favorite and some items you really want to keep wearing. Like my favorite jeans.
If you are sharing hand-me-downs, you can get 3 years before being concerned. Makes the shirts a better buy for growing kids. With adding the Sungard, your kids will be more protected as time goes by.
Sunscreen Or Sunblock
I resisted wearing sunblock, once I found out about it. And why it was important. Do I ever feel silly about that now. However, don’t allow your skin to be unprotected.
No, sunblock doesn’t do much to cool you down, while you are in the garden. It does offer necessary protection from the sun’s rays.
Sunscreen is preferred by most because of the residue visible on your skin with sun block. Both will help protect your skin. However, please don’t expect sunscreen and sunblock to do it all. Sun blocking clothing will help keep you protected.
The creamey types are much more effective than the spray type since it’s easier to see and control where you’re applying the protection.
If you are using a spray, make sure you do so in a well-ventilated area. Apply and allow to dry at least 15 minutes before you go out in the sun.
Consider The Different Ways Products Protect Your Skin
Choose sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for adequate protection, and make sure to reapply it according to the directions on the product, or more often when you get wet or are sweating a lot.
When you are shopping for sunscreen, you’ll also find you’ve got a choice between mineral and chemical sunscreens.
Mineral sunscreens contain titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or a combination of the two. The tiny particles sit on top your skin and form a barrier by reflecting the sun’s rays.
Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the sun’s rays and converting the UV light into heat, and releasing it from the skin.
There is some controversy surrounding the safety of certain ingredients that are often found in chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone in particular.
Experts suggest using a combination of both a physical and a chemical sunscreen for maximum protection.
Sun Blocking Clothing And Sun Block and Sunscreen
I believe the best sunscreen is the one you will wear.
Protecting your skin is important and getting a sun blocking shirt is an important part of this puzzle. For the best sun blocking clothing for gardeners, don’t forget to keep it on. No shirtless and depending on sunscreen or sunblock for your upper torso.
Now a bit of a warning as we are thinking about sun block and sunscreen:
As your sunscreen ages, the active ingredients can start to oxidize and lose efficiency. Store your sunscreen out of direct sunlight, and away from extreme hot or cold temperatures.
An even better skin protection is sun blocking clothing, then there is much less skin for the sun to get to.
Be Aware Of When Enough Is Enough
Even with the best gear, there is the possibility of getting too hot when you are in your garden in hot weather.
How do you avoid that heat stress, or even a dose of sun sickness?
When you realize you are already too hot get yourself into a cool and shady environment. Go in your house and splash cool water on your face and head. Hold a cool wet cloth on your forehead.
Drink cool water.
Recognize Heat Issues
Here are some suggestions to make you aware of heat related issues:
- Do you have a unburn or flushed skin?
- Is your skin feeling alternatively cool and then clammy?
- Are you excessively sweating?
- What about having muscle cramps or nausea?
- Feeling headachey, with blurred vision, and disorientation?
- Have you felt you could vomit?
When I feel the signs of too much sun or heat exposure, it usually starts with excessive sweating, then moves into a general feeling of exhaustion followed by disorientation.
Pay attention to your and those around you for signs of problems.
Gardening Is Fun
Protecting yourself from too much sun and heat isn’t rocket science. You can’t ignore skin protection in our part of central Texas. Maybe your part of the world is less risky. Even then, be careful with your skin.
Wearing protectice clothing, applying some sunscreen, and drinking plenty of water should be enough to keep you sfe. Be aware of the heat of the day, and protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays.
When it’s too hot, you know how to work smart. Stay in the shade and out of the sun altogether!
Sami’s Take On Best Sun Blocking Clothing For Gardners
As a gardners helper, and not really a gardner, I have been careless about skin protection. Yes, I just help with gardening, but even so have learned to be more careful.
Awareness of the dangers of too much sun is important. Senior Citizen gardeners must be extra careful. Often, we ignore common sense, and hate to admit we were careless.
Learning to plan my work and stay out of the sun is important, and working in the shady side when I can is important.
Since I found out about Sun Blocking Clothing, I don’t mind being out. I can take the loose fitting long sleeve shirt off and not be covered in sunscreen.
My wide brim sun hat is the first thing I grab. A single application of sunscreen keeps my face protected. I am slowly loosing the farmers tan on my arms.
We can take better care of ourselves and age better. Our skin doesn’t have to be aged and leathery.
I may have an accidental too much sun day along the way, but am working hard to improve my daily habits. How are you helping yourself keep your skin save from skin cancer?
Start your safer skin routine now. Find your best sun blocking clothing for gardeners. Wear it and stay safe.