Antimicrobial Clothing?
In today’s society, many people demand a quality piece of fabric that offers them comfort and an exquisite look. Antimicrobial properties are one of the aspects that should not be missed to ensure safety and hygiene. Antimicrobial clothing is a type of fabric designed to shield against the growth of bacteria, fungus, mold, mildew, and other harmful microorganisms. Antimicrobial clothing is particularly important in critical industries such as the health care sector to reduce the risk of disease transmission and prevent infection such as hospital gowns, curtains, bedding, or patient clothes. It has also been widely used in military defense, construction, houseware, or activewear where the exposure to microbes or pathogens is diverse. In the industrial textile, the process is accomplished by applying an antimicrobial finish to textiles which inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms, thus adding a layer of defense and extending the fabric’s life. You may find various information at the health centre home page about the current epidemiology or other health-related issues to raise awareness about the importance of health.
Quality of antimicrobial fabric
In the manufacturing of antimicrobial clothing, the manufacturer needs to ensure that the textile meet all the important criteria to ensure the safety and efficacy such as the following:
- Free from allergic reactions
- Prevent the pathogen from spreading
- Have an extended shelf life
- Inhibits the growth of unpleasant odors
- Nontoxic and safe for sensitive skin
How antimicrobial clothing is made?
The textile industries mainly emphasize the biological and chemical aspects of antimicrobial clothing to produce a high-quality grade of material such as highly durable, resistant to stain, inflammable, and waterproof which has the practical usage of applications in organizations. It can be made from a variety of materials for example polyester, polyester-vinyl composites, and vinyl. Different types of fabrics have different levels of effectiveness towards the pathogen. Antimicrobial fabric work similarly to antibacterial soap whereby it attacks the bacteria at the cellular level to prevent the spread of the pathogen. Additives are also added to a textile during the manufacturing process to ensure it is resistant to microbes. While silver is commonly used as an additive and other metal ions such as zinc and copper iron are proven effective in preventing bacterial growth. The latest technology of antimicrobial technology tailored the fabric with an antibacterial agent deeply into the structure of fibers rather than depositing them on the surface to increase the durability of the material. However, the usage of natural products as antimicrobial agents has received more attention because the usage of chemicals such as additives has raised concerns on environmental issues. It was demonstrated that the use of 100% cotton plain weave fabric with inorganic chemicals such as monocarboxylic acid presents antimicrobial activities against several types of bacteria including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and mildew.
Application of antimicrobial clothing
As mentioned earlier, antimicrobial clothing is mostly important in a hospital setting to maintain the sanitary conditions and other facilities, particularly in the operation theatre, wound treatment dressing, scrub wear, instruments, and rooms which mostly need antimicrobial fabrics to promote the clean and safe working environment. Another important quality in medical application is to produce a fabric with skin-friendly properties such as hypoallergenic and antifriction. Sometimes hospital gowns and garments may generate friction against the skin, which may lead to skin injuries such as wounds, blisters, itchiness, irritation, and allergies to the patients and hospital workers. In the military sector, several military materials were treated with antimony salts, copper, and a mixture of chlorinated waxes to protect against microbial colonization and eventually prolong the longevity of the fabric. This not only stiffened the garments but also gave them a distinct odor. Antimicrobial clothing also is a good choice for footwear and athletic wear, to help control and prevent odors. It’s advisable to take Vaccination..
