Antimicrobial fabric benefits are many. Antimicrobial fabric is treated with chemicals on the fabric in order to inhibit the growth and movement of various bacteria, mold, mildew, and other hazardous microbes. This offers protection against these microbes. The main antimicrobial fabric benefits are as follows:

Antimicrobial fabric (Image source: sportingtex.com)

Antimicrobial fabric stay cleaner and fresher longer

Antimicrobial technology adds a durable defence barrier on fabric, which helps fight odour-causing bacteria, mold and mildew. This makes a product with antimicrobial fabric stay fresher longer so you can wear it with confidence. This lasting, continual protection against potentially harmful microbes lasts wash after wash.

Antimicrobial fabric require fewer washes

Antimicrobial fabric stays cleaner for longer and in between washings. If a towel smells less, you will wash it less because it maintains that “just laundered” feeling. New energy efficient washing practices do not get fabrics as clean. Adding antimicrobial product protection reduces the growth of odour causing microbes that remain on your clothes even after washing.

Antimicrobial fabric keep fabrics smelling better

Sweat is a universal problem. When you sweat, the bacteria on your skin consumes the nutrients in your sweat and breaks it down, producing odour. Antimicrobial fabric inhibits the growth of unpleasant odours before they start on the garments by controlling bacteria growth.

Antimicrobial fabric produce no ‘permastink’

Given the propensity of odour buildup in performance wear, as they are often made from synthetic fabric, many consumers have experienced the need to rewash clothing that did not wash clean and which begin to smell like it was worn. This “permastink” or permanent odor build up in synthetic fabric is a well-known concern within the apparel industry and the consumers. With antimicrobial fabric, consumers won’t have to deal with this issue.

Antimicrobial fabric generate longer product life

Bacteria and fungi can degrade textiles in many ways. Repeated washing also negatively affects the lifecycle and speeds up degradation. When laundering a product less because it is made with antimicrobial fabric, you are able to extend the life of the product.

Antimicrobial fabric benefits are being recognised now more than ever due to the ongoing pandemic. Already associated with the healthcare industry and sports, antimicrobial fabrics are finding their application in the everyday life of the common consumer to protect themselves from the pandemic. Our textile design course supports students to explore how design can provide solutions to current problems or issues of the society enabling them to conceptualise a practice that is relevant in the current world.