Laundering clothing is
daunting chore that requires a good amount of energy, both physical energy
from the person doing it and electrical energy from the machines that
facilitate it. But virtually everyone understands the need of completing
such a task. If you don't launder your clothing, bedding and other textile
items, then they are going to become odorous and smell.
Fortunately, a formidable solution exists - antimicrobial technologies
effectively combat odor, minimizing the frequency of laundering textiles
and thus prolonging a product's life. Though this technology has existed
for 30 years, the awareness level is not very high and perceptions of the
value of such treatments are limited to specific apparel. However,
consumers' busy lifestyles and changes to washing care instructions over
the years (for finer, softer textiles) have increased the needs and
benefits of treating textiles to combat odor causing bacteria.
How Antimicrobial Treatments Work
Antimicrobial treatments control the growth of odor-causing bacteria arising in everyday use of apparel & home textiles. Normally these
bacteria would generate unpleasant odor molecules, but by controlling
their growth, treatments suitable chemicals, prevents the
formation of these odors and keeps fabrics fresher longer. More
specifically, these chemicals are applied at the manufacturing level and binds onto
fabric. It then kills bacteria by puncturing their cell membranes, causing
the contents to leak out. Once the bacteria are dead they can no longer
produce smelly waste metabolites, and fabrics maintain their freshness.
Even though consumers are becoming familiar with antimicrobial treatments,
most are unaware of their potential to improve everyday clothing and home
textiles. A study conducted by Arch Chemicals and market research company
Taylor Nelson Sofres, Inc, shows that four out of five U.S. adults (81
percent) lack awareness that freshness-enhancing treatments for clothing
and textiles are available, yet nearly half (48 percent) - including more
than half of male consumers (51 percent) - reported that, given the
opportunity, they would be willing to pay more for clothing and textiles
manufactured with freshness-enhancing treatments. This presents a real
opportunity to manufacturers, brands and retailers to offer an attractive
new performance feature on their products.
Treatment Benefits
Busy lifestyles make performance enhancement for comfort or ease of care
highly attractive. Apparel and home textiles treated with an antimicrobial
treatment maintain that "just laundered" feeling when being worn on
regular basis and can decrease the frequency of washing which can save on
cost, time and ultimately environmental impact.
Cleaning Antimicrobial Treated Clothes
Today's finer, softer textiles require low wash temperatures without
bleach - conditions that facilitate bacteria survival. This bacteria leads
to the formation of bio-films on fibers which are very difficult to remove
and can even remain after future washes. These chemicals effectively combats the
growth of micro-organisms over the practical lifetime of the article under
national washing conditions specified on fabric care labels.
When caring for clothing or linens that are treated with such
anti-microbial chemicals,
consumers should wash products without using chlorine bleach, as it will
deactivate the treatment. The anti-microbial chemicals remain effective after tumble drying or
color-safe bleaching.
The extension of antimicrobial treatments into mainstream apparel and home
textiles adds to consumers' overall comfort and well-being, in addition to
enhancing the life cycle of textiles.
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