Textiles are everywhere in our everyday lives. From the clothes we wear and the furniture we kick back and relax on to the bed linen we sleep in and the accessories we carry around, fabrics are a critical component in many modern consumer products.
However, textiles also provide the perfect growth environment for various microorganisms. This can result in fabrics that smell bad, transmit illness, or quickly become unusable.With this in mind, antimicrobial textiles are becoming an increasingly popular solution to many challenges microorganisms pose. Here, we explore what antimicrobial textiles are, how we can use them, and why they are so beneficial. We then move on to examining Polygiene StayFresh™ – a groundbreaking antimicrobial additive.
Antimicrobial textiles feature technologies that inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, and eliminate them from the textile and its surface. We usually achieve this via an antimicrobial additive or a coating businesses apply to the fabric at the point of manufacture.
Antimicrobial additives often utilize naturally occurring substances with inherent antimicrobial properties. Silver and zinc are two common examples. However, these substances’ natural antimicrobial qualities are enhanced and concentrated to produce effective antimicrobials.
Antimicrobial additives equip fabrics and textiles with a host of performance benefits. The core benefits include:
Bacteria are often responsible for unpleasant odors in our clothes and other textile products. During the metabolic process, they produce waste products that can smell if untreated. Antimicrobial technology targets odor-causing bacteria, tackling the issue at the source.
Antimicrobial textiles are cleaner than fabrics that do not feature built-in protection. The antimicrobial additive protects the material from microorganisms and prevents mold and mildew from developing.
Left unchecked, microorganisms can damage textiles and cause the material to degrade. This shortens the product’s expected lifespan. By eliminating microorganisms, antimicrobials prevent this damage, resulting in longer-lasting products.
Because antimicrobials help keep textiles cleaner and odor-free, consumers can wash them less frequently. Less frequent washing reduces the environmental impact of a product, making it more sustainable and eco-friendly. It also contributes to longer-lasting textiles, as washing machines are tough on fabrics.
As businesses introduce antimicrobial additives during manufacturing, the antimicrobial properties are ingrained in the fabric. This means they cannot be removed or washed away and ensures they provide around-the-clock protection for the product’s entire lifespan.
Manufacturers are now using antimicrobial fabrics in a diverse array of innovative applications. Below, we focus on several of the most common use cases.
Performance apparel designed for outdoor activities and sports is one of the principal use cases for antimicrobial fabric treatments. We expose these types of clothes to the elements and an array of natural biological processes, most notably sweating, during use. As such, they benefit enormously from antimicrobial protection. It ensures they stay cleaner for longer while tackling odor-causing bacteria, too.
Hygiene-critical environments are another core use case. Hospitals, surgeries, and other similar environments must take active steps to prevent the spread of potentially dangerous microorganisms. As a result, they often incorporate antimicrobial additives into bedding, medical scrubs, gowns, masks, and other essential healthcare items.
With large numbers of guests rotating through hotels regularly, antimicrobial textiles provide hospitality businesses with a way of enhancing their existing hygiene routines. When included in sheets, bedding, and towels, antimicrobial agents prevent the spread of microorganisms and safeguard the brand’s professional reputation.
Antimicrobial properties can be included in anything from curtains and cushions to sofas and rugs. Built-in antimicrobial protection ensures that these products don’t become safe havens for potentially harmful microorganisms and minimize the likelihood of dampness, mold, and mildew becoming an issue.
Vehicle manufacturers utilize antimicrobial fabrics for upholstery in cars, airplanes, trains, and buses. While private vehicles benefit from the technology’s ability to keep things smelling fresh and feeling clean, mass transport vehicles also benefit from the fact it prevents microbial growth and spread, limiting opportunities for transmission.
While we regularly see antimicrobial textiles in sports apparel, they also feature heavily in specialist sports equipment. From ice hockey gloves to heart rate monitor straps, antimicrobial fabrics help keep high-value sports equipment clean, smelling fresh, and ready for use.
If users aren’t careful, footwear starts to smell pretty quickly. Not only is it unpleasant, but it can also cause embarrassment and affect users’ confidence. Manufacturers can incorporate antimicrobial additives into various parts of the footwear design, including the uppers and insoles, to protect against microbial growth and eliminate unpleasant odors at the source.
Our two antimicrobial solutions are Polygiene StayFresh™ and Polygiene ViralOff™.
Polygiene StayFresh is an industry-leading antimicrobial solution that manufacturers can integrate into any textile. It is introduced into the material during manufacturing, providing 24/7, long-lasting protection that does not leach or fade as the product ages.
Polygiene StayFresh keeps textiles fresher and odor-free. The long-lasting protection means the technology does not need to be reapplied, extending products’ expected lifespans and preventing the need for end users to replace items regularly. This gives many traditionally short-lived textile products a new lease of life and facilitates manufacturers’ shift from fast consumables to durables.
Polygiene ViralOff is an antimicrobial solution that is ideal for healthcare applications and is also utilized by fashion and lifestyle brands. It eliminates 99.99% of microorganisms on a fabric, keeping it microbe-free. Consequently, it helps ensure textiles don’t harbor unpleasant odors and stay fresher for longer.
Businesses introduce Polygiene technology during the manufacturing process. It is available in masterbatch, liquid, and powder form and can be added at any stage of manufacturing. This makes it a versatile, flexible solution that integrates seamlessly into existing processes with minimal disruption.
To learn more about our antimicrobial technologies, visit the Polygiene Technology page. If you have any questions or want to discuss how our technology can further enhance your product offering, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Polygiene team.
Manufacturers can integrate Polygiene solutions into almost any fabric. This includes materials with natural and synthetic fibers. The technology can protect cotton, wool, silk, nylon, polypropylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) textiles, amongst others.
If you have questions regarding Polygiene solutions and whether they can protect a particular type of textile, we recommend contacting the Polygiene team to discuss your needs.
Businesses introduce Polygiene technology during the manufacturing process. Application requires no additional energy or water, making Polygiene solutions a more sustainable option. The process is simple, efficient and effective.
To learn more about our antimicrobial technologies, visit the Polygiene StayFresh or Polygiene ViralOff product pages. If you have any questions or want to discuss how our technology can further enhance your product offering, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Polygiene team.
