ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH FOR HOME TEXTILES

Cotton textiles have always played a central role in the evolution of human culture by being at the forefront of both technological and artistic development. The protective aspects of textile have provided the most textile ground for innovative developments. Hygiene has acquired importance in recent years. Odour has become an important factor. Unpleasant odour can arise from the acquisition of a variety of compounds produced in bodily fluids such as perspiration.

Microorganism growth is another factor that has resulted in development of antimicrobial finish. Microbial infestation poses danger to both living and non-living matters. Microorganisms cause problems with textile raw materials and processing chemicals, wet processes in the mills, roll or bulk goods in storage, finished goods in storage and transport, and goods as the consumer uses them. Obnoxious smell form the inner garments such as socks, spread of diseases, staining and degradation of textiles are some of the detrimental effects of bad microbes. The consumers are now increasingly aware of the hygienic life style and there is a necessity and expectation for a wide range of textile products finished with antimicrobial properties.

This article covers the full range of positive effects that antimicrobials bring to textile industry and provides the types and properties of antimicrobials.

1.INTRODUCTION:
Mold, mildew, fungus, yeast, and bacteria (microorganisms) are part of our everyday lives. There are both good and bad types of microorganisms. The thousands of species of microorganisms that exist are found everywhere in the environment and on our bodies. These organisms impact producers, retailers, and users of all kinds of products. The scope of this reaches from whole buildings, building materials, people, equipment, processes, production of textiles, storage and transport of textiles, and users of textiles. Understanding microorganisms, which they are, where they come from, and why they grow on certain materials provides us a basis for controlling them and their negative effects.

The inherent properties of the textile fibres provide room for the growth of microorganisms. Besides, the structure of the substrates and the chemical processes may induce the growth of microbes. Humid and warm environment still aggravate the problem. Infestation by microbes cause cross infection by pathogens and development odour where the fabric is worn next to skin. In addition, the staining and loss of the performance properties of textile substrates are the results of microbial attack. Basically, with a view to protect the wearer and the textile substrate itself antimicrobial finish is applied to textile materials.

Antimicrobial textile products continue to increase in popularity as demand for fresh smelling, skin friendly, and high performance fabrics goes on. Modern performance fabrics are required in many specialist applications, sports textile is one example. These need to exhibit high degrees of performance in terms of longevity and durability, and by imparting antimicrobial properties to the fabric. These properties can be improved as well as increasing the comfort and hygiene factor making them more pleasant to wear. Odour can be neutralized and skin problems caused by microbial growth reduced thus emphasizing the hygiene nature of the treated product. Apart from apparels, it is now needed that home textiles may also be treated with anti-microbial finish so that functionally it adds value to home textiles esp. for Export segment & will bring more value from end customers

Zydex Industries ,One of the leading Indian manufacturer makes  a key product “Zycrobial” which is “Oekotex” listed silane based antimicrobial for giving multi wash retentive antimicrobial and anti-odour finish to textile substrates. Hand loom and power loom exporters in application segments like home textiles, carpets, dhurries etc. are encouraged to use these functional antimicrobial finish with “Zycrobial” and can add value for their products on following lines.

• Textile substrates in general either made out of cotton or synthetics are prone for microbial growth as they form food for their survival and growth.

• Products like home textiles i.e bed cover, pillow cover, pillow, bed sheets, quilts etc. come in intimate contact with human body and are stained with body fluids like sweat, food spills etc. which further encourage microbial growth.

• Remnant detergent after washing, storing in dark environments (cup boards), humid climatic conditions, less wash frequency etc. further aggravates microbial growth.

• Microbial growth on home textiles as above could result in bad odour, skin allergy to sensitive person, loss in colour of the good & finally reduce the life of the product.

Exporters associated in home textiles business could be able to position their products better with functional anti-microbial finish with “Zycrobial” which could attract customers at points of purchase and experience the functional value.

• ZYCROBIAL is a Silane quat product for giving retentive Anti-microbial and antiodor protection to most of the textile substrates.

• ZYCROBIAL is water soluble and easy in application either by exhaust/ pad/ spray/ kiss roll method.

• ZYCROBIAL provides a durable long lasting anti-odor finish that shields the surface against biodegradation / deterioration by killing the bacteria.

• ZYCROBIAL gives multiple wash retentive finish by covalent bonding to hydroxyl group and self-condensation on the textile surface.

• ZYCROBIAL being cationic in nature; is compatible with other cationic and non-ionic softeners.

• ZYCROBIAL treated fibers/ yarns/ fabrics are tested & approved for various gram positive and gram negative bacteria for up to 50 washes as per testing procedure AATCC 100, ASTM E 2149 and JIS L 1902.

• ZYCROBIAL has also successfully passed AMES test, Buehler test, Intra-cutaneous Sensitization test, Acute Oral Toxicity test and is safe for use.

• •ZYCROBIAL is listed under bio-active products list of “OEKO-TEX”.

TYPES OF MICROBE

NEED FOR ANTIMICROBIAL MATTRESS SOLUTION

ANTI-MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGIES

Leaching Technology: This antimicrobials move out of the fabric and react chemically with the microorganism which kills the micro-organism.

1. Triclosan
2. PHMB
3. Silver compounds

Non leaching technology: Antimicrobials stay affixed to the textile and at molecular level electrocutes and physically pierces the microorganism (lipoproteins anionic membrane cover).

 1. Silane Quat

LEACHING TYPE: CONVENTIONAL ANTI-MICROBIALS

Leaching type of antimicrobials leach out of fabric and pollute the environment

1.  Triclosan: Triclosan is linked to harmful effects on human health like abnormal endocrine/ thyroid hormone secretion, weakening of immune system etc.
2. PHMB: It has been classified as a category 2 carcinogenic (cancer causing) agent by the European Union and is banned since January 2015.
3. Silver compounds: This antimicrobial is being phased out from the market due to ecological reasons.

NON LEACHING ANTI-MICROBIAL

SILANE QUAT (Zycrobial)

1. Forms a polymer network on the textile substrate.
2. Non-leachable, non-consumable & non-flammable.
3. Quaternary ammonium structure provides antimicrobial activity against most of the microbes.
4. Non-toxic & Eco-friendly to nature.
5. Ruptures the cell membrane of the microbes when it’s comes in contact with the treated surface.

WORKING MECHANISM OF ZYCROBIAL

Home textiles includes

Bed Linen: Bed Sheets, Blankets, Duvets, Quilts, Pillow Stuffing Fibres, Pillow Covers, Mattress foam & Mattress covers. Bath Linen: Bath Towels, Bath Suit & Hand Napkins, Table Linen: Table cloth, Hand napkins, Aprons, Carpets, Curtains & Blinds are all functionally can be treated with anti-microbial finish Upholsteries

BED LINEN

Reasons of Microbial Attack: SHEDDING OF below items on the Bed Linen

1. DEAD SKIN
2. FOOD PARTICLES
3. SALIVA
4. SECRETION OF SWEAT

EFFECTS OF MICROBIAL GROWTH:

1. SKIN INFECTION/RASHES
2. BAD ODOUR
3. TEXTILE STAINING
4. TEXTILE DISCOLORATION
5. TEXTILE DETERIORATION

REQUIREMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH FOR BED LINEN

Sometimes even after washing, the residual detergents resides in the fabric which shape up as food material for the micro-organisms and leads to their growth.

1. Storage of bed linen in humid and dark conditions further encourages the growth of microbes.
2. Infrequent washing also leads up to the growth of micro-organisms on these textile substrate which perhaps can cause skin allergies.
3. Bad odour on bed linen is a problem during monsoon and humid climatic conditions.

BATH LINEN

Reasons of Microbial Attack:

1. Damp towels
2. Disposition of dead skin cells
3. Residual detergent

Effect s of microbial growth:

1. Bad Odour
2. Skin Infections
3. Textile Staining
4. Textile deterioration

REQUIREMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH FOR BATH LINEN

Bath robes and Towels in particular have tendency to get attacked by bacteria being in direct contact with the skin.

1. When too much detergent is used during laundry it becomes difficult to rinse towels properly and hence they are likely to end up with the remnants of detergent. When not rinsed well, it leaves traces of detergent and dirt in the fabric. This encourages bacteria that causes odour.
2. Towels develop a musty smell when they are left in the washer after the cycle is complete. This also increases the likelihood of mildew transfer onto the towels.

TABLE LINEN AND CARPETS

Reasons of microbial attack:

1. Deposition of food particles &
2. Dirt for a longer time.

Effects of microbial growth:

1. Textile staining & bad odour

2. Textile deterioration

REQUIREMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH FOR TABLE LINEN

Table cloth often get stained by food particles which encourages the growth of microbes.

1. Hand napkins remain damp due to its frequent use in kitchen. Also food particles get adhered to it and infrequent washing results in microbial growth after a period of time.
2. Aprons worn during cooking get stained by food and other liquids which encourages the growth of microbes if they are not washed for a longer time.

Reasons of microbial attack:

    1. Deposition of food particles & dirt for a longer time.

Effects of microbial growth:

1. Textile staining & bad odour
2. Textile deterioration

CARPETS

REQUIREMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH FOR CARPET

Carpets are prone to the accumulation of dirt and dust particles as they are used for covering of floor. Carpets are generally heavy in weight and difficult to handle and therefore they cannot be washed regularly which readily leads to the germination of microbes.

CURTAINS AND BLINDS

Reasons of Microbial Attack:

     1. Accumulation of dirt & soil from the surrounding environment.

EFFECTS OF MICROBIAL GROWTH:

1. Textile deterioration
2. Textile Staining

REQUIREMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH FOR CURTAINS AND

BLINDS

• Due to open door and windows, the curtains absorb moisture and attract dirt from outside which could be the reason for the growth of microbes.

• Infrequent washing also leads to the growth of micro-organisms on these textile substrate which perhaps can cause discoloration of curtains.

UPHOLSTERY

Reasons of Microbial Attack:

1. Accumulation of dirt & soil from the surrounding environment.

EFFECTS OF MICROBIAL GROWTH:

• Textile deterioration
• Textile Staining
• Stinky Hotels

REQUIREMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH FOR UPHOLSTRIES

The seat covers and floor interlining in automobiles are the areas where dust accumulates the most and as these substrates cannot be washed frequently and hence lead to the growth in bacteria after sometime.

1. The chances of cross contamination is highest at the places where these substrates comes in direct contact with the general public like in terms of seats of buses, cars, aero planes, theatres etc. which can cause infection if the bacterial growth is not prohibited.
2. In case of marine upholstery the humid climatic conditions agglomerates the generation of bacteria and also degrades the substrate within a short span of time.

Application Techniques:

The key advantages of using Zycrobial are:

1. Room temperature reactivity and curing.
2. Fast and easy application.
3. Gives retentive antimicrobial & anti odour finish.
4. Protects against microbial deterioration & discoloration.
5. Increase the life of textile materials.
6. Effective on both natural and synthetic textiles.
7. Helps to keep army personal healthy and fully functional on duty.

ANTIMICROBIAL TEST METHODS

1.Bromo Phenol Blue Stain Test (In-house indicative test to determine whether Zycrobial is present on substrate or not)

Pour one drop of BPB solution on treated as well as untreated substrate & rinse thoroughly with water. Compare the remaining blue stain on treated substrate with the stain on untreated substrate (yellow/orange). If stain is blue then Zycrobial is present on substrate.

2.AATCC 147: Antimicrobial activity assessment of textile materials (Parallel streak method) Qualitative test method for leaching type of antimicrobials; hence not suitable test method for Zycrobial as it is non leaching type of antimicrobial product.

• AATCC 100 (Quantitative test method )

• ASTM E 2149 (Dynamic shake flask)

• JISL 1902 (Absorption method)

TOXICOLOGY CASE STUDY

TESTED BY: Haffkine Institute For Training, Research & Testing, Mumbai & National Toxicological Lab Pune.

CONCLUSION

Textile fabric with anti-odour/anti-microbial properties is one of the fastest growing segments of the performance a textile market—reflecting the desire of consumers for hygiene, freshness and a general sense of well-being.

• Also the greater use of synthetic fibers and blends in textile items which tend to cause greater ‘perspiration wetness’ because of poor moisture transport properties as compared to natural fibres.

• The microbial attack on textile fabric leads to quality losses due to changes of colour and appearance or to reduction in strength and can result in unpleasant odour formation.

• Moreover, the current issues of skin disorders/rashes/infections due to lack of home textiles hygiene has led to huge opportunities for anti-microbial and anti-odour finishing agents such as ZYCROBIAL

DISCLAIMER

Zycrobial antimicrobial efficacy is assured under standard suggested Application dosage, process conditions and test methodology. It is suggested that the before commercializing the product test the treated product for efficacy against chosen method of testing at a standard accredited microbiological textile testing lab. HEPC will not be responsible for any deviation in test results due to inappropriate dosage, incorrect treatment method and incorrect test methodology practice.