The Rise of Antimicrobial Fabric

Global manufacturers are improving their production processes to make them more sustainable and offer customers fabrics that do more than just cover our bodies. New fabric technology produces fabrics and clothing that keep us cooler and more hygienic. The technology does this by reducing odours, protecting sensitive skin and extending the life of the fabric. Let’s take a look at new-age antimicrobial fabric…

What is Antimicrobial Fabric?

According to a statistics study published by Towards Chemical & Materials, the size of the global antimicrobial fabric market is currently estimated at around £10.6 billion. It’s expected to increase to approximately £19.3 billion in 2035. That gives you an idea of the popularity of this type of fabric.

So what is microbial fabric? It’s an engineered material that is specially treated or includes certain properties that preserve fabrics and protect them against specific microbes, such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, mildew, mould and viruses. The focus is on creating functional fabrics that are hygienic, odour-free, and durable. Of course, because of its health benefits and the protection it provides against harmful organisms, it is used extensively in the medical industry. However, its practical applications also make antimicrobial fabrics popular in the fashion and activewear industries.

As antimicrobial fabrics inhibit the growth and spread of microbial organisms, we produce this specialised fabric to combat textile contamination. If the fabric is contaminated, it has to be discarded because it is unsafe to wear. This is especially important for fabrics used in hospitals and other medical facilities, to ensure everything remains sanitary and hygienic.

Other industries that use microbial fabric extensively include the hospitality industry (hotels and restaurants, which also favour sanitisation), public transportation, protective equipment, outdoor gear (such as camping, skiing and hiking), vehicles, décor and furniture. More and more clothing and activewear brands are also using this fabric technology. It’s even used in food packaging and processing, to keep foodstuffs clean, fresh and uncontaminated. 

What Does Antimicrobial Fabric Do?

This specialised fabric repels bacteria and other organisms and prevents them from growing. It also ensures that the fabric is hygienic. In the case of clothing, antimicrobial clothing can prevent microbials developing on the fabric surface. They prevent bacteria from sticking to the fabric and causing it to smell, and reduce microbes that cause moisture (and sweat). This makes the textiles more long-lasting and hard-wearing. Technology enables some fabrics to have a ‘slow release’ mechanism that keeps the antimicrobial effects lasting for longer.

Different Antimicrobial Fabric Types

The most common type of antimicrobial fabrics are woven materials, which comprise around 42% of this type of textile. Non-woven antimicrobial fabrics aren’t as common. Most of the fabrics used are produced from cotton fibres, and these are most commonly used in the medical industry, because the fibres are so long-lasting and can withstand wear and tear.

What Antimicrobial Fabric Is Made Of

Various types of fabric are used to produce antimicrobial materials. These fabrics include acrylics, polyester and vinyl, as well as blends of these materials. Depending on what the fabric will be used for, manufacturers add various features to it, from repelling odour to making it waterproof as well as stain- and flame-resistant.

Antimicrobial vs Antibacterial Fabric

There is a distinct difference between antimicrobial and antibacterial fabrics. Antibacterial fabrics are those that specifically target bacteria; no other microbes. Antimicrobial fabrics protect against various micro-organisms, such as viruses, fungi and bacteria. They help reduce odour, protect sensitive skin and extend the material’s lifespan.

How Antimicrobial Fabrics Are Treated

To repel various microorganisms, these fabrics are treated with several agents, including copper, silver ions, and various natural compounds. These stop any microbial from spreading and destroy those already present. Aside from being more durable, there’s another major advantage to this type of fabric: you don’t have to wash it as often, as it remains fresh-smelling for longer. This is one of the reasons activewear brands are using antimicrobial textiles for their products.

Benefits of Antimicrobial Materials

·       They are cleaner: This is most important. They also protect against mould and mildew.

·       Keeps clothing dry and checks odour: You know how some exercise clothing starts to get wet and smell after it’s been worn, particularly if you sweated in it while exercising? Antimicrobial technology focuses on tackling the smells to control them. Obviously, you can’t eliminate odours completely but you can ensure the wearer stays smelling fresh for a long time, and relatively dry while wearing the garment.

·       These fabrics last longer: By eliminating micro-organisms from developing, antimicrobial fabrics are more long-lasting.

·       Antimicrobial additives are ingrained in the fabric: This prevents additives from washing away and keeps them active, which protects the wearer.

·       The fabric is more sustainable: As it keeps clothing cleaner and free of odours, the fabric doesn’t need to be washed as often; this reduces garments’ environmental impact.

Caring for Antimicrobial Materials

How do you wash and care for garments and accessories made from microbial fabrics? It’s crucial to look after these specialised fabrics, so they last longer. Follow this guide for details:

1.     Read and take note of the garment’s label with washing and care instructions. If you cut the label off, check the brand’s website for washing instructions.

2.     Clean regularly to remove dirt and any substances that affect the antimicrobial fabric treatment. If the instructions insist you dry-clean, hand or machine-wash, do so. If there are detergent instructions, follow them. Don’t use harmful substances that may affect the fabric, such as bleach. Instead, choose recommended gentle products.

3.     No matter how you clean the fabric, be gentle. In a washing machine, use a gentle cycle and follow instructions about the water temperature – it should be cool or lukewarm, never hot.

4.     Sometimes it’s recommended that you wash the item inside out to protect it. Follow this instruction to the letter.

5.     Many antimicrobial fabrics react badly to fabric softener, so avoid these, as well as fragranced softening sheets, when using the tumble dryer. Also, only tumble dry as directed, if at all.

6.     Sometimes there are specific drying instructions, e.g., drying away from sunlight. Some fabrics can be tumble-dried, but ensure you follow the heat setting instructions. Remember: Tumble drying on a high temperature could damage the fabric’s special antimicrobial treatment.

7.     Aside from washing and drying, some products may also give instructions on how to store them. Don’t leave items in humid or damp areas. And store them in a breathable bag or box.

UK Companies Manufacturing Antimicrobial Textiles

Several British companies, some of them global, are manufacturing this type of specialised material. They include Redwood TTM, based in the UK, which specialises in technical materials, including antimicrobial fabrics. Other companies operating here include Addmaster, BioCote, Microban and Polygiene.

These brands use various fabric types, including synthetics such as polyester, as well as recycled materials and plant-based fabrics.

Head to our Blog section for more information on Sustainable Textiles as well as Sustainable Textile Innovations.

The Swedish brand Polygiene has made several inroads into microbial fabric, focusing on technology that produces more useful and sustainable materials. The brand produces various fashion and lifestyle products that are odour-free, including activewear that enhances performance and anti-allergenic garments that also protect the skin against the elements. Their odour-free fabric is called Polygiene StayFresh™, which keeps fabrics fresher for longer. Because the brand is also known for its sustainability, these garments are extremely popular.

Another Polygiene technology is called StayCool by Polygiene™ . It combines moisture-activated cooling and odour control. It is used for activewear, home décor fabrics and other clothing items. It keeps athletes and exercisers fresh and comfortable while being active by regulating body temperature through evaporation, cooling the body and moving sweat away.

Another cutting-edge fabric is the antibacterial Polygiene StayFresh, which has substances that stop bacteria from growing on the fabric and causing it to smell. Brands like Adidas, Calvin Klein, Dr Scholls, North Face, O’Neill and Prada all use these high-tech sustainable materials to produce their products.

The brand’s innovative Polygiene Viraloff is extremely antimicrobial: it reduces microbes on textiles by up to 99%. This particular fabric is only washed when absolutely necessary to prolong its lifetime. It’s also suitable to be worn close to the skin, and does not affect the skin’s “natural bacterial flora”, the brand claims.

Addmaster, based in Staffordshire, produces antimicrobial additives for fabrics as well as plastics and coatings. Their antimicrobial derivative is called Biomaster, which is used to reduce cross-contamination in fabrics.

BioCote Ltd, in the West Midlands, specialise in antimicrobial additives and fabric treatments which they produce by incorporating silver-based additives directly into the fabric fibres or applying them as topical coatings. Their products are mostly used for hospital scrubs, technical bedding and workwear.