Conscious interior design is more important than ever. Given the amount of time we spend indoors on a daily basis, we need healthy, comfortable and inspiring indoor spaces that contribute to our productivity and well-being. Window covering textiles with antimicrobials help creating healthier interiors. They are particularly suitable for use in sanitary facilities such as hospitals and laboratories, as well as in all sorts of damp spaces, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Here is all you need to know about antimicrobial textiles. And, yes, we have them in our collection.
WHAT IS ANTIMICROBIAL?
Let’s start with explaining the term antimicrobial. One speaks of 'microbial' when something relates to or is caused by microorganisms. Bacteria, algae and fungi are among microorganisms. Antimicrobial is an agent that either stops the growth or kills microorganisms.
UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS OF MICROORGANISMS
Microorganism growth on textiles causes a range of undesirable effects, not only on the textile itself, but also on the user. Some effects include the generation of unpleasant odor, reduction in mechanical strength of the textile, stains and discoloration and an increased likelihood of user contamination.
HOW TO CONTROL MICROORGANISMS?
Depending on the moisture, nutrients and temperature levels of their surroundings, commonly found bacteria and fungi are able to quickly multiple. Some of these bacteria populations may even double every 20 to 30 minutes under ideal conditions. Negative effects can be controlled by durable antimicrobial finishing of the textile using broad-spectrum biocides or by incorporating the biocide into synthetic fibers during extrusion.
THE USE OF ANTIMICROBIALS
Most of the antimicrobial agents used in commercial textiles are biocides. These biocides act in different ways according to their chemical and structural nature. Textile treated with biocide is protected from undesirable bacterial and fungal infection. In addition, the function of a bioactive finish on a fabric is twofold. The active agent protects the user from microorganisms for aesthetic, hygiene, or medical reasons, and protects the textile from bio deterioration caused by mold, mildew, and fungi. Any antimicrobial treatment incorporated within a textile, besides being efficient against microorganisms, must be non-toxic to the consumer and to the environment.
MÜNCHEN: A BESTSELLING FABRIC AVAILABLE WITH ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH
The complete München collection, including the flame-retardant qualities, are now available with an antimicrobial finish on request. The must-have basic for every roller blind collection has a textile look and feel and is worked out in a wide range of essential colors.
DISCOVER OUR ANTIMICROBIAL TEXTILES
REGARDING THE ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS, DIFFERENT TYPES HAVE BEEN USED WITHIN OUR COLLECTION. FOR DETAILS, PLEASE SEE THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS PER TEXTILE.
