Anti-microbial finish causes a fabric to inhibit the growth of microbes.

The humid and warm environment found in textile fibers encourages the growth of the microbes.

Infestation by microbes can cause cross-infection by pathogens and the development of odor where the fabric is worn next to skin.

In addition, stains and loss of fiber quality of textile substrates can also take place.

With an aim to protect the skin of the wearer and the textile substrate itself, an anti-microbial finish is applied to textile materials.

Oxidizing agents Oxidizing agents affect micro-organisms by attacking the cell membrane to get into the cytoplasm and affect the organism s enzymes.

Quaternary ammonium salts are classified as cationizing agents. This finish alters the permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane, affecting the vitality of the cell.

One of the most popular and most durable of the finishes is triclosan.

Triclosan is non-leaching finish and affects micro-organisms by penetrating their cell walls causing leakage and blocking the synthesis of lipids. Consequently, cell functions are disabled and the micro-organism cannot function or reproduce.

Cadmium, silver, copper, and mercury are all effective antimicrobial agents.

Metal based finishes are fairly durable to repeated laundering making them appropriate for use as a reusable finish.

One of natural antimicrobial finishes, Chitosan, is the deacetylated form of Chitin which is a main component in crustacean shells. This finish is important because it does not provoke an immunological response, is biodegradable and biocompatible, and is renewable. Neem is recognized as one of the most promising sources of compounds with their pest repellent properties and have the potential to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Aloe Vera has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can be exploited in applications for medical textiles such as bandages, bioactive textiles, etc.

Turmeric, because of its bioactive activity saffron transmits antibacterial properties to textiles.

Uniforms, tents, defense textiles and technical textiles. In the home textiles, such as, curtains coverings, and bath mats. The application of the finish is now extended to textiles used for outdoor, healthcare sector, sports and leisure.

Upgrade silver finish inhibits the growth of odor causing bacteria and provides reliable antimicrobial protection, ideal for clothing worn in everyday life, sport and travel.

Upgrade-silver finish is an antibacterial finishing technology using active silver ions.

Various brands of antimicrobial finish

Insect repellant finish ionizes the air in the surrounding up to one meter and repels insects like mosquitoes, flies, ants etc.

The insects get paralyzed when it falls directly on this cloth (finished fabric), this finish is totally nontoxic and is also approved for children under garments.

Moths, carpet beetles, cockroaches, silverfish and crickets are all known to have damaging effects on textile products.

Natural fibers such as wools are particularly susceptible to damage from moths.

Much of the damage from moths and other insects can be prevented with a moth and insectproof finish that is essentially an insecticide.

Mosquito repellent textiles is one of the revolutionary ways to advance the textile field by providing the much-needed features of driving away mosquitoes.

N-N Diethyl Benz amide Mosquito repellent finish applied on fabrics by simple padding method gives 100 % mosquito repellency.

Mothproof finishes are topical finishes applied to wool or cellulosic fabrics that may be vulnerable to insect damage. Site location will be one factor in determining the need for mothproofing. The finish may be durable or non-durable.