Improved durability of peroxide-based antibacterial agents on fabrics

Initial attachment of the antibacterial agent magnesium hydroperoxyacetate (MHPA) on nonwoven and woven 50/50 cotton/polyester and 100% polyester fabr ics and its subsequent durability to laundering or leaching was substantial ly improved by inclusion of an alkaline pH polyethylene softener in the for mulation and choice of curing conditions. Physical properties of treated fa brics with or without softener were either comparable or improved relative to untreated fabrics. Initial amounts of antibacterial agent bound as well as percent retained after laundering or leaching when softener was used in the treating formulation were far superior in all fabrics compared to fabri cs treated with formulations not containing softener. All treated cotton/po lyester woven and nonwoven fabrics completely suppressed growth of bacteria , but some polyester treated fabrics did not suppress microbial growth.