picture of a bed and antibacterial mattress
picture of pillows and antimicrobial mattress cover

Antibacterial Technology – Polygiene in Mattresses

antibacterial mattress

A good night’s sleep makes a world of difference to the way we feel on a day-to-day basis and can have a significant impact on our long-term health. Over time, mattresses and mattress protectors accumulate odor-causing bacteria that can negatively impact the degree to which we enjoy the sleep environment, feel comfortable in it, and get restorative sleep. Fortunately, Polygiene® StayFresh, our antibacterial mattress and mattress protector solution, can keep unpleasant smells and bacteria at bay. 

What are antibacterial mattresses and mattress protectors?

Antibacterial mattresses and mattress protectors inhibit the growth of the odor-causing bacteria that tend to accumulate naturally in regular bedding. Whereas traditional bedding relies on washable covers or superficial external cleaning to stay clean, reduce bacterial load, and prevent odors, antibacterial mattresses and protectors feature integrated protection.

At Polygiene, our antibacterial odor control solution is Polygiene StayFresh. It is applied during the manufacturing process and provides around-the-clock protection to maintain freshness between washes. This is extremely valuable for mattresses and mattress protectors in both personal and professional environments, like hotels. Below, we look at five key reasons why this is the case. 

picture of wicking sheets

Key benefits of antibacterial mattresses and protectors

  1. Odor control and fresher for longer textiles

Polygiene antibacterial Freshness solutions are designed to tackle the root cause of many unpleasant odors – bacteria. By preventing bacterial growth, our technologies stop these smelly microorganisms from producing the metabolic byproducts responsible for strong scents, keeping mattresses fresher for longer. As mattresses and bedding provide the perfect environment for bacterial proliferation – they like dark, warm, and damp environments – this 24/7 antibacterial odor protection has a powerful effect.

  1. Reduced bacterial load

By preventing bacterial growth, Polygiene StayFresh keeps the bacterial load significantly lower than you would expect to see in traditional, non-treated textiles. While non-treated mattresses and mattress protectors are quick to accumulate bacteria, Polygiene-treated products suppress that spread. As well as providing effective odor control, this also benefits users by preventing bacterially-related skin irritation.

  1. Improved comfort means better sleep

A less smelly bed where the textiles benefit from built-in antibacterial protection is more comfortable. And a more comfortable bed guarantees better sleep. Scientific studies have firmly established a connection between the sleep environment and quality of sleep, so optimising your environment for comfort should be a priority. Improved comfort can ensure you get to sleep faster, wake up less, and achieve more restorative sleep. In turn, better sleep can lead to improved physical and mental health (NIH).

  1. Longer product lifespan

An antibacterial mattress protector does not need washing as regularly. As washing machines are actually pretty rough on textiles and can be responsible for a significant amount of wear and tear, washing products less frequently can extend their expected lifespan, saving users money and ensuring they benefit from greater value. For products like mattresses that aren’t typically laundered in the washing machine, antibacterial odor control still extends the product’s extended lifespan by preventing premature bacterial degradation. This is particularly true of mattresses made from natural fibers, which are more prone to biodeterioration (IBB).

  1. More environmentally friendly

A longer-lasting product that doesn’t need replacing as frequently boasts a better overall environmental footprint than consumables with short lifespans. Similarly, items that do not need washing as regularly reduce energy, water, and detergent consumption, resulting in a more eco-friendly product. At a time when consumers and brands are interested in transitioning away from consumables to embrace durables, this is an appealing quality. 

Understanding Polygiene StayFresh technology

The core active ingredient in Polygiene StayFresh is silver chloride, a common salt. We’ve refined the natural antibacterial properties within silver chloride to enhance potency and simplify application. The solution acts on bacteria in three key ways:

  1. It interferes with the bacterial cell wall to inhibit growth.
  2. It hampers enzyme activity to limit energy production in the cell.
  3. It disrupts cellular DNA, impacting bacteria’s ability to replicate.

Preventing bacterial growth on three distinct levels ensures Polygiene StayFresh offers powerful antibacterial protection 24/7, for an extended period, often a product’s entire lifespan. It is integrated into mattresses and mattress protectors during the manufacturing process. As such, it is IN fabrics rather than ON them and does not leach or fade. 

Polygiene StayFresh is proven skin-safe and does not interfere with your body’s natural bacteria. It is bluesign® approved, Oeko-Tex Eco-Passport certified, and complies with the EU’s REACH chemical legislation.

Other types of antibacterial bedding

Polygiene’s antibacterial solution is useful beyond mattresses and mattress protectors and is relevant to any bedding made from textiles. Essentially, Polygiene StayFresh can be applied to the complete sleep system. For instance, you can find Polygiene StayFresh in:

Duvets and covers – Keep your covers smelling their best for longer with Polygiene-treated products. Check out our Quick Guide to Bedding Fabrics for help finding the right covers for you.

Antibacterial pillows – Polygiene prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria on the outside of the pillow, where frequent contact with the skin and hair can provide microorganisms with the nutrition they need to thrive. Learn more about antibacterial pillows.

Bed sheets – Smelly bed sheets need washing far too frequently and can prove tricky to get dry once the seasons change and the weather takes a turn for the worse. Polygiene protection ensures sheets stay fresher for longer, so you don’t have to worry about washing them nearly as frequently. Learn more about antibacterial bed sheets. 

Advice for mattress and bedding manufacturers

For mattress and bedding manufacturers, Polygiene StayFresh antibacterial mattress technology is an effective way of enhancing value for your customers and distinguishing your product offering from the competition. In markets where consumers are increasingly looking for products that go a step beyond and deliver next-generation performance benefits, Polygiene technology helps brands drive growth.

We work closely with our partners to guarantee smooth Polygiene integration into existing manufacturing processes. Typically, introducing Polygiene protection is relatively simple and does not require large-scale change. We also offer ongoing marketing support, helping you to communicate the benefits of our solutions effectively to your customers and therefore maximizing adoption benefits.

moisture wicking bed sheets

Antibacterial protection with Polygiene

If you’re interested in integrating Polygiene protection into your products and engineering performance-focused antibacterial mattress covers and mattresses, our team is on hand to help. We would love to hear from you and are ready to discuss the many ways our solutions can help you achieve your commercial goals. 

Contact the Polygiene team today.