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 only cover our bodies. New fabric technology produces fabrics and clothing that keep us cooler and more hygienic. This 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?

This type of fabric is specially treated or it includes certain properties that repel specific microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, mildew, mould and viruses. Of course, because of its health benefits and the protection it provides against harmful organisms, it is used extensively in medical industries. However, its practical applications make antimicrobial fabrics popular in the fashion and activewear industries, too.

As antimicrobial fabrics inhibit the growth and spread of microbial organisms, we produce this specialised fabric to combat textile contamination. If 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 hygienic.

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

What Does Antimicrobial Fabric Do?

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

What is Antimicrobial Fabric Made of?

We can use various types of fabric and make them antimicrobial. These fabrics include acrylics, polyester and vinyl, plus blends of these materials. Depending on what the fabric will be used for, manufacturers add various features to it, from repelling odour to waterproofing and making it stain- and even flame-resistant.

Antimicrobial vs Antibacterial fabric

It’s important to note that there is a distinct difference between antimicrobial fabrics and those that are antibacterial. Antibacterial fabrics are those that specifically target bacteria and not any other microbes. Antimicrobial fabrics protect against various micro-organisms, such as viruses, fungi plus bacteria. They do help reduce odour, protect sensitive skin and extend the life of the material, but they only focus on bacteria.

How Antimicrobial Fabrics Are Treated

To repel various micro organisms, these fabrics are treated with various agents, including copper, silver ions and other natural compounds. These stop any microbial from spreading and destroy those already evident. 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 stays fresh-smelling for longer. This is one of the reasons activewear brands are using antimicrobial textiles for their products.

Caring for Antimicrobial Materials

How do you wash and care for garments and accessories made from microbial fabrics? It’s crucial to care for 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’ve cut the label off, check the brand’s website.

2.     Clean regularly to remove dirt and any substances that affect the antimicrobial fabric treatment. If the instructions insist you should dry clean, hand or machine wash, do this. If there are detergent instructions, follow them. Don’t use harmful substances that may affect the fabric, like 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 for the water temperature – cool or lukewarm, never hot.

4.     Sometimes it’s recommended you wash the item inside out to protect it. Follow these instructions to the letter.

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

6.     Sometimes there are specific drying instructions, eg. drying away from sunlight. Some fabrics can be tumble-dried, but 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 have notes on how to store them. Don’t leave items in humid areas or where it’s damp. And store them in a breathable bag or box.

UK Companies Manufacturing Antimicrobial Textiles

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

These brands use various fabric types, including synthetics including polyester, as mentioned above, 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, which we discuss here, to give you an idea of how technology makes fabric more useful and sustainable. The brand produces various fashion and lifestyle products that are odour-free and have other value to customers, including activewear that enhances performance and anti-allergenic garments that  also protect the skin against the elements. The 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 being used is called StayCool by Polygiene™ that combines moisture-activated cooling and odour control. It is used for activewear, home décor fabrics and other clothing items. This 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 Polygiene’s antibacterial Polygiene StayFresh, which includes substances that stop bacteria from growing on the fabric and causing it to smell. Brands like Adidas, Calvin Klein, Dr Schools, North Face, O’Neill and Prada all use these high-tech sustainable materials for 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 necessary to prolong its lifetime. It is also suitable to be worn close to the skin, and does not affect the skin’s “natural bacterial flora”, the website claims.