Cleanability - The Magic of Vinyl Awning Fabric

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This blog article was written by Craig Zola, a Business Manager at Herculite Products, who has over twenty (20) years of experience in textile development and innovation. Email contact: czola@herculite.com

News flash:  If you have outdoor awnings, they will get dirty and require cleaning.  You have two choices; you either hire a professional to clean and maintain the awnings or clean them yourself about twice a year.  You can be sure that ignoring them is not a good strategy if you want the fabric to outlast the warranty.

Vinyl awning fabrics like Coastline Plus®, Patio 500®, Vanguard®, Natura® and Canopy FS® will provide many years of service if properly cleaned and maintained.  These fabrics are waterproof, mildew, stain and dirt resistant.  Each of these top choice awning fabrics have top coat surface treatments that further enhance product longevity and assist the owner in the cleaning process.

Unlike woven acrylic or polyester fabric, when vinyl awning fabrics are properly fixed to an awning frame, they will retain a trim fit that is not affected by moisture or temperature.  Reinforced vinyl awning fabrics are superior in dimensional stability. Vinyl awning fabric that is properly fastened to its frame will maintain both its functional protection and aesthetic value.  Since all outdoor fabrics and furnishings are susceptible to environmental degradation, proper maintenance is very important.

The following maintenance suggestions are offered: 

1.            Keep clean.  Occasional hosing with clear water will prevent dirt accumulation.  Most dirt accumulation can be removed by mild soap, water and a soft scrub brush.  Rinse thoroughly.  In extreme cases, most dirt can be removed by applying half strength bleach and brushing softly to cover thoroughly the necessary area.  Allow solution to remain for two or three minutes, then thoroughly rinse with clear water, protecting surrounding materials or plant growth that might be damaged by the bleach.

2.            In areas particularly conductive to mildew, brush away any visible accumulation of dirt on underside.  Mildew can grow on dirt, but does not grow on or attack the vinyl itself.  Underside mildew can be removed with a light duty power washer (maximum 1800 PSI).  Care must be taken not to damage the vinyl awning fabric with the pressure water intensity at close range. If you get too close, you will put a hole in the fabric.  Test an inconspicuous area and maintain a minimum safe distance between the nozzle and the fabric surface of at least 12 inches.

Premium Vinyl Awning Fabric Choices (click for color sample)

Closing the Curtain on MRSA Infections with Medical Fabrics

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A September 2011 article in the Healthland column on Time.com reported on the findings some University of Iowa researchers presented at a scientific conference in Chicago earlier that week. To the author’s chagrin, the scientists had confirmed what the author thought to be obvious: 95 percent of hospital privacy curtains contained harmful pathogens, most notably methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE).

Even brand-new curtains were contaminated, the researchers discovered, within seven days of being installed.

The author noted that one of the study’s researchers received some consulting fees from a medical curtain fabric manufacturer (not Herculite) and suggested the researcher might have been biased because of that. The author then flippantly went on to suggest the entire problem of disease-causing pathogenic contaminants could be eliminated if only the doctors washed their hands.

Odds the Study Was Unbiased

While it’s possible that one researcher was biased because of some consulting fee, that doesn’t explain the clearly unbiased behaviors of the study’s other six authors (and their inclination to stifle any biases in their colleague).

And, as implausible as it may seem to the article’s author, 1) Doctors already know they’re supposed to wash their hands and 2) Doctors hands aren’t the only ones present in any hospital setting. Nurses, patients, hospital staff, patients’ families, vendors, law enforcement, the list of visitors to a hospital goes on and on. If simply having doctors wash their hands could rid hospitals of MRSAs, the problem would have been solved long ago. Instead, government reports show the superbugs have only proliferated geometrically. There were less than 2,000 reported cases of MRSA in 1993. By 2005, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and reporting in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated 94,000 cases and 18,650 deaths due to MRSA in the U.S..

Staph infections and the horrible health and financial consequences they pose are still there lingering around every fold of a hospital curtain. And those high-tech medical fabrics used to make those curtains—they are among a hospital’s first line of defense in stopping the spread of disease. The advanced antimicrobial properties of medical curtain fabrics, such as Sure-Chek, perpetually release antimicrobial agents to stop the spread of germs on the surfaces where they are most likely to congregate.

With a high-quality medical curtain fabric like Sure-Chek, the antimicrobial properties are tested to stringent industry standards, such as AATCC 147 and ISO 22196. What’s more, they’re flame-resistant, wipe clean to remove stains, oils, and contaminants, are anti-static to ensure proper functioning of sensitive medical equipment, and constructed to meet durability standards that make them as economical as they are decorative.

Hope Springs Eternal, Reality Is Something Different Altogether

All the bio-engineering in the world isn’t likely to produce an infallible physician anytime soon. Instead, infection control managers might best be served by continuing to pursue cleanliness awareness campaigns while hedging their bets with proven technologies, such as the antimicrobial medical curtain fabrics designed and proven to be effective at killing MRSAs.

Medical Bedding, an Ounce of Pressure Prevention Is Worth Millions

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Because they’re largely preventable, bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers or formally, decubitus ulcers), if they’re allowed to occur on patients, can be a healthcare facility’s worst financial nightmare.  In today’s healthcare environment. Medicaid pays close attention and monitors the occurrence of new wounds that are considered preventable, pressure related ulcers and will not cover the costs to treat these conditions.  This burden along with potential exposure to liability falls on the facility. 

These injuries to the skin and underlying tissues caused by prolonged pressure on the skin (especially bony areas of the body, such as ankles, hips, buttocks or heels), are, according to the Mayo Clinic, more easily prevented than they are treated.

Prevention, the experts at the Mayo Clinic suggest, is accomplished by a combination of an aggressive patient care protocols and the use of “special cushions, foam mattress pads…[that] can help a person lie in an appropriate position, relieve pressure and protect vulnerable areas from damage.”

Putting the Squeeze on Pressure

A critical component in the medical bedding that helps mitigate the risk of bedsores are the medical fabrics that form the surface of the mattress support systems and come into closest contact with patients.

The advanced engineering techniques found in Sure-Chek, are designed to control the stretch of the mattress fabric so that it performs consistently and predictably. A medical mattress fabric, such as Sure-Chek Fusion III HP, stretches in both directions (four-way stretch), horizontally and vertically; where other fabrics only stretch in one direction (two-way stretch) before returning to their originally state (known as “recovery”).

This is important to risk managers at healthcare facilities because the more stretch a medical fabric has, the more the surface material can conform to the engineering of the internal support pressure management system.  This is a key function of medical bedding that controls weight pressure to the patient’s body. The lower the interface pressure between patient and the medical bedding, the better. This minimizes the potential for new sores while preventing any existing sores from worsening.

The recovery phase of the medical fabric helps to return the material to its original state, preventing pinching of the patient’s skin and providing a neater appearance as well.

Fabricating a Plan to Prevent Pressure Ulcers

The Mayo Clinic is not alone in their recommendation of the use of special foams to ergonomically manage pressure for those patients chronically confined to a bed. The National Institutes of Health also recommends using “items that can help reduce pressure,” WebMd is another advocate for the use of these materials.

As part of a comprehensive program to prevent pressure ulcers, medical fabrics, such as Sure-Chek ergonomic pressure management fabrics, can help healthcare facilities mitigate the expenses associated with their care and perhaps even eliminate the liability litigation it may bring. Look for omnidirectional (four-way) stretch in the mattress coverings to provide maximum support for the pressure management system underneath and optimal recovery to prevent patient pinching.

Engineered Performance Fabric Testing Procedure – Tear Testing

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This blog article was written by Chad Twombly, a Business Manager at Herculite Products, who has over fifteen (15) years of experience in textile development and innovation.  Email contact:  ctwombly@herculite.com

How does a textile engineer compare one fabric to another?  How do you determine if one fabric is stronger, tougher, has better UV, has proper flame retardants, or receptive to printing for the application that you will be using it in?

In this article we will discuss tear testing methods.  Our desire is to take some of the "mystery" out of the lab testing process and help fabricators and fabric specifiers make informed decisions when picking a fabric.  While there are hundreds of different tests that are specifically designed to address unique performance fabric requirements, there is a battery of tests that will give you the ability to compare fabrics to each other and better make application decisions. 

Tear Testing for Textiles

This test procedure is always difficult to directly relate to any real-life performance criteria, but this test will help you determine the overall strength of the fabric and help you determine which fabric to use based on the level of strength that is required for a specific application.

Tear Testing is one of the most basic tests to determine the physical strength of one fabric as compared to another.  A simple definition; a measurement of force required to continue a tear of a fabric specimen assuming that a tear has already been created.

Two commonly used methods:      Tongue Tear and Trapezoidal Tear

Both work on the same premise, they measure the amount of force required to continue tearing along a predetermined tear point. We are going to focus on the Tongue Tear, but we will also compare trapezoidal tear results to tongue tear results.

The Basics of the Tongue Tear Test Method

Specimen

• For product with a scrim yarn of 1000 denier or more - 8.5 x 11"
• For product with a scrim yard of under 1000 denier -3" x 8"
• Samples cut in both Warp (Length Direction) and fill.
• A 3" cut is made at the center of either the 3" side or the 8.5" side of the sample.

Testing

• The testing machine has two clamps (one on top and one on the bottom).  The clamps are pulled away from each other using a measured force (Hydrolic in most cases)
• One of the sides of the specimen that has the 3" tear is affixed to each clamp
• The material is pulled applying force directly to the point at the end of the premade cut in the fabric

Test Results

• Results are measured in Pounds.  The weight being pulled against the upper and lower clamp.

Another way to look at it is to imagine one side of the test being attached to a fixed rod and having the other end of the specimen being attached to a "scale" that we continue add more and more weight until the specimen continues tearing.  At the point that the specimen continues tearing that is the amount of lbs that it takes to continue the tear.

Trapezoidal Tear Testing

• The Specimen is cut into a Isosceles Trapezoid
• The Slit is made in the side of the fabric
• Upper Clamp adhered to the top of the Specimen
• Lower Clamp adhered to the bottom of the Specimen

It is important to understand the there is no one lab test that will exactly replicate real life wear and tear, but combining the values of several different tests will help you make the best decision for your specific application. 

Chad Twombly  ctwombly@herculite.com

Herculite Products Inc.

Germs Gone Wild: Medical Fabrics in College Dorms

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In a college dorm room, virtually anything and everything goes. And it usually does.

Every day is potentially Spring Break for the infectious organisms that live and thrive in college dormitories and public places.  Left to their own nature, without proper controls, they have an unlimited opportunity to literally grow wild among the student body.

For the facilities managers responsible for infection control and risk management in dormitories, college life poses unique challenges. Unlike a hospital setting where administrators have strict control over the environment and can enforce rigorous protocols to stop the spread of pathogens, college dorms are more like the Wild West:  Late-night pizza parties and the occasional slice that falls behind a bed can attract disease-carrying pests; students cramming for finals may overlook hygiene routines while pressing their immune systems beyond what they can reasonably handle; the very collegial nature of college itself invites potentially disease-spreading behaviors beyond those in routine life at home.

The college dorm is the perfect environment for the “5 Cs” the Centers for Disease Control have identified as facilitating the transmission of MRSA: Crowding; frequent skin-to-skin Contact; Compromised skin (i.e. cuts or abrasions); Contaminated items and surfaces; and lack of Cleanliness. 

To combat these heightened risks, college administrators and the facilities managers they oversee often rely on the advanced antimicrobial properties found in modern medical fabrics, everything from the mattress fabrics on dorm beds to the pillow fabrics, and the curtains used in shower cubicles.

Medical Fabric Selection

One of the best defenses against the spread of infections is a good offense—medical fabrics for a dormitory with built-in antimicrobial properties that perpetually release pathogen-killing chemicals at the surface, whether on mattress fabrics, pillow fabrics, or curtain fabrics. Medical fabrics, such as Sure-Chek from Herculite, are laboratory-tested to exacting standards, such as AATCC 147 and ISO 22196. Their antimicrobial properties are warranted for the life of the product. Their fluid resistance and moisture vapor transmission qualities are also tested to rigorous standards, such as ASTM D751/A and ASTM E96/BW, thus reducing the risk of contamination from liquids or body fluids. Tensile strength and tear-resistance are also put to the test to ensure the fabrics maintain their antimicrobial properties under the hyperactive conditions a college dorm bed is likely to experience.

Medical Fabric Care and Cleaning

Along with selecting the right medical fabrics, proper care and cleaning of these textiles is critical to ensure maximum protection from cross-contamination.  In the college setting, scheduled fabric cleaning and maintenance is difficult on a daily or even weekly basis, but routine cleanings performed quarterly or at the beginning, middle, and end of a semester, can go a long way toward extending the life of an institution’s investment in these materials. 

For vinyl fabrics, use soap and warm water and rinse thoroughly.  For tougher stains use a 10% mixture of bleach according to the manufacturer’s dilution directions. Too weak a solution can be ineffective at maintaining antimicrobial efficacy of the fabric killing germs on the fabric surface and too strong a solution can diminish the usable life of the medical fabric.

For urethane fabrics, also use neutral soap and warm water and rinse thoroughly.  For tougher stains use a 10% mixture of bleach according to the manufacturer’s dilution directions.  Again, rinse thoroughly.  Pre-soak stubborn stains and use a soft-bristle brush to gently lift the soils.

Graduating Students, Flunking MRSAs

While controlling infection spread in a hospital is by no means easy, at least hospitals can implement stringent cleaning protocols around the clock. Facilities managers and college administrators don’t get that opportunity—they’re lucky if they can get into dorm rooms for thorough cleanings a few times a year.

Choosing the right medical fabrics for a dormitory, those with advanced antimicrobial properties, such as Herculite’s Sure-Chek, can be your secret weapon.  Sure-Chek fabrics bring new pathogen-killing compounds to the surface for the life of the product.

Additional Resources:

Read the U.S. Department of Education’s Advisory on MRSA in Schools

Read the CDC’s Information and Advice About MRSA for School Officials

Read the Prevention and Control Recommendations for MRSA in Schools from the New Jersey Department of Health

Read the Illinois Department of Public Health Guidance for Schools and Student Athletes about Community-Associated Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) Infections

How to Care For Antimicrobial Fabrics

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Pick any piece of equipment, from a Mercedes to a microscope, and if you don’t maintain it properly, no matter how well-built, how well-designed, or how well-engineered it is, sooner rather than later, that equipment will fail to work the way the manufacturer intended and you planned when you bought it.

As seemingly non-mechanical as a piece of fabric may be to the naked eye, the truth is, today’s medical fabrics with advanced antimicrobial properties, whether Sure-Chek mattress fabrics, pillow fabrics, curtain fabrics, or other medical textiles, are highly engineered to exacting specifications. To get the most benefit, to ensure the best performance, to maintain the warranties, you need to properly care for these materials, especially when cleaning them.

Here’s a short course on the basics of medical fabric care to mitigate cross-contamination of harmful pathogens while ensuring the longevity of the materials and their bacteria-killing properties:

General Cleaning

Vinyl              Vinyl fabrics are best cleaned using phenolic disinfectants.  Commonly found in mouthwashes, disinfectant soaps, and handwashes, phenols (carbolic acid) are the oldest known disinfectant having first been used by the pioneering surgeon and champion of antiseptic surgery, Joseph Lister (from which the mouthwash, Listerine, takes its name). Alternatively, a 1:10 dilution of household bleaches containing 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, can also be used on these surfaces, in accordance with recommendations published by the Centers for Disease Control.

Urethane     Quaternary ammonium compounds (“quats”), and quaternary/isopropyl compounds, have been found most effective for cleaning urethane materials. In addition to their bacterial-killing properties, quats, which are biocides, also kill algae and are used as an additive in large-scale industrial water systems to minimize undesired biological growth.

Vinyl and Urethane          In those instances where both medical fabrics are found, hypochlorite and chlorine oxide, can be used to eliminate bacteria lingering on the fabric surfaces.

Each of these products include dilution instructions which should be carefully followed. Used in full or highly concentrated solutions, these chemicals can reduce the useful life of the fabric and diminish your return on investment. Using iodophor-type disinfectants may result in stains on the fabric.

Soils, Stains, Spotting

To remove soils or stains from medical fabrics, whether mattress fabrics, pillow fabrics, or shower curtain fabrics, apply neutral soap diluted in lukewarm water with a sponge. Neutral soaps are those soaps which don’t contain lye (NaOH) or potash (KOH) and are therefore gentler on skin and medical fabrics. For stubborn stains or spots, use the same solution with a soft-bristle brush and let the solution pre-soak for a minute or two before attempting to brush it clean.

Do not launder vinyl-laminated or rubber-coated medical fabrics, such as Sure-Chek, as it may shorten the useful life of the antimicrobial properties.

Polyurethane-coated medical fabrics, including Sure-Chek, may be laundered in warm water (up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit) and hung out to dry or tumbled dry at low temperatures (up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit). You may notice some wrinkling at first, but the antimicrobial properties will not be diminished.

Proper Care Is a Team Effort

Medical fabrics, such as Sure-Chek, are in many ways, miraculous. Since their development in the 1950s by Herculite Products, they have been perpetually releasing antimicrobial chemicals to the surface of the materials to help reduce the presence of common pathogens on the fabric surfaces.

But, that doesn’t eliminate the need for sound risk management practices. Use the proper disinfectants for each material as directed by the manufacturer. If anything is unclear, contact the manufacturer or distributor to get their expert advice.

5 Things to Know about Antimicrobial Fabrics in Medical Bedding

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Cotton, the saying goes, is the fabric of our lives. But in a healthcare environment—a hospital or an infirmary, for example—cotton or other natural materials that retain moisture, instead of being life-sustaining, become fomites, life-threatening materials capable of transmitting infectious organisms.

Instead, hospital risk managers and others responsible for infection control in medical bedding along with the manufacturers who supply their bedding, have come to rely on specially formulated, impenetrable medical fabrics with advanced antimicrobial properties.

Developed in the 1950s by pioneering firms, such as Herculite Products, these properties—found in everything from mattress fabrics to pillow fabrics and curtain fabrics in a healthcare setting contain  antimicrobial additives that help reduce the presence of common pathogens on these surfaces. The key to leveraging the benefits of these working fabrics is in distinguishing the genuine performing products from the imposters. Here’s what to look for when buying these materials, whether for use in manufacturing or as an end-user:

1. Are the antimicrobial features in the medical bedding materials verified or merely claimed? Some distributors claim their medical fabric has antimicrobial features but there’s no proof. Genuine antimicrobial bedding fabrics, such as Sure-Chek, are laboratory tested against klebsiella pneumonia and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) according to proven tested standards, such as AATCC 147 and ISO 22196.
2. To what degree are the antimicrobial features of the medical bedding proven effective? Laboratory tests for industry-leading brands, such as Herculite’s Sure-Chek healthcare fabrics, have shown a demonstrable reduction in activity present on the surface of the fabric.
3. What product specifications accompany the product and who stands behind those specifications? Are they the manufacturer of the product? Are they ISO registered? Claims made by offshore manufacturers may not be worth the corrugated paper they’re shipped in. Have you ever tried filing a claim in China?  It has been reported in some industries that up to 30 percent of imported products have been non-conforming or rejected.  The Chinese drywall incident reported inSouth Florida in March 2012 was an even bigger problem. The cost of these rejects come straight off the builder’s bottom line.  Check the specification on the antimicrobial features too. Are they effective for one year? Two? Or best, for the life of the product?
4. How effective are the fluid resistance and moisture vapor transmission qualities of the medical fabrics?  Moisture-resistant fabrics reduce the risk of contamination of the mattress from liquids or bodily fluids. The impermeability of a membrane to water movement as a liquid is assessed by measuring hydrostatic test ASTM D751/A. Moisture vapor transmission is the result of molecular diffusion caused by different levels of humidity on either side of the membrane. The impermeability of a membrane to moisture vapor transmission is measured by ASTM E96/BW.
5. How strong are the materials used to provide the antimicrobial features? All the bacterial-resistant features in the world are meaningless if the surface fabric tears or is cut, exposing surfaces and materials that are not similarly protected. Sure-Chek healthcare fabrics, for example, are tested for tensile strength and tear resistance using the grab method ASTM 05034, the tongue tear method ASTM 02261, and the adhesion method ASTM 0751.  Fabrics that are weldable, using RF or ultrasonic methods, also create an impermeable seam to air and moisture, further reducing risk from cross-contamination.

If you’ve ever bought a cheap car with the notion that you were saving money because the sticker price was low compared to others in the market, you know that buying something cheaply up front is not always cheaper in the long run; your total cost of ownership is what counts in the end. Buying healthcare, correctional, and dormitory bedding with antimicrobial resistance is no different.

Examine the claims of the manufacturer. If they’re vague, walk away. If they don’t conform to industry-leading standards, keep on shopping. If you’re not getting comprehensive protection over the expected life of the product, keep looking. You want peace of mind. And who knows, it might just be you, a close friend, or family member in that hospital bed one day. Which healthcare fabric would you want the healthcare facility to have chosen?

What You Should Know About Backyard Awning Systems

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Are you interested in creating an outdoor living space with an awning or simply improve the look of your backyard?  Are you looking for shade from the sun only or would you like to sit outside under the awning during a rainstorm?  Do you plan to have furnishings on the patio that need weather protection from both sun and rain?

Backyard patio awnings are a great idea.  According to www.awninginfo.com , they can save you money by reducing your home’s energy consumption.  "Awnings can directly affect energy use by simply blocking the sun… heat gain through windows is one of the main reasons why buildings need air conditioners... In some climates you can save 20 to 25% of your cooling energy just by using awnings." -- John Carmody, Director, Center for Sustainable Building Research, University of Minnesota

There are two types of backyard awning systems to consider; retractable and fixed frame:

A retractable awning is the perfect solution for someone looking for shade during hot summer days but also wants the option to enjoy the sun with the awning retracted or closed.  These fabric awnings are designed for shade only.  They are not designed for storm protection.  Motorized systems are available with sensors that will detect and retract the awning at a predetermined wind velocity.  This is a safety mechanism to prevent frame damage from sudden wind gusts.  Retractable awnings are available in many styles, colors and qualities.  They are a great addition to the home.

Fixed frame awnings are permanent structures that are typically engineered with steel pipe or aluminum tube.  The awning fabric is fastened to the frame using rope or staples making it stationary.  Removing the fabric cover is still possible but is labor intensive.  The frame is designed to stay in place with or without fabric.  Fixed frame awnings are engineered for wind load and meet building code guidelines.  These structures are sufficient for all weather protection allowing you to enjoy the backyard even during a rainstorm.  People and furnishings stay dry and protected.

Regardless of frame system, if you are looking for waterproof sun protection and an awning that is cleanable and easy to maintain you will want to choose a vinyl awning fabric like Coastline Plus or Natura by Herculite.

Do you have any personal experience with backyard awnings that you can share?

Unique Applications for Printed Fabrics in Graphic Displays

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More and more companies are switching to digital print fabrics for their advertising and promotional campaigns. With the new increase in fabric choices and extended widths, using fabric as a retail and exhibition medium can be both cost-effective and convenient. Just walk through any convention center, shopping mall, large retail store or outdoor exhibition area and note the use of digitally printed fabric.

Why Choose Digital Print Fabrics                              

• Fabric is an ideal medium because it can be colored, designed, stenciled, painted or digitally printed to exact specifications.
• Digitally printed fabrics are completely accurate and lose nothing of the original design intent.
• These fabrics are easier to store, pack, unpack, install, dismantle and transport than more rigid, traditional materials.
• Digitally printed fabrics require less storage space than conventional materials.
• They are also less bulky, heavy and expensive to transport.
• Colors are vibrant with clear definition and generally aesthetically pleasing to consumers.
• Eco-friendly fabrics are recyclable.
• Digitally printed fabrics can be chosen that show through or totally block out light.
• Wider widths and greater fabric selection increases choices for the perfect design.
• Flame retardant fabrics meet building safety regulations.

Bright overhead banners, flags and soft signage seems to be evident everywhere. Displays and backdrops are frequently decorated with fabric, as favorite brands and styles are promoted in the most eye-catching manner. Event promotions are brought to life with bright, vivid colors. 

How to Incorporate Digital Print Fabrics into Your Business

• Soft signs are an inexpensive but effective way to advertise.
• Overhead banners and flags have eye-catching consumer appeal.
• These fabrics will attractively and effectively replace standing walls at conferences and trade-show exhibitions.
• Creative minds have used these specially designed fabrics for draperies, floor mats, wallpaper, tablecloths and even lamp shades.
• In-store advertisers can use these materials to highlight featured brands and labels.
• Theaters find digital print fabrics ideal for easy-to-handle props.

Whatever your reason, let digital print fabrics bring your dreams and ideas to life.

Important Features to Select Fabric for Healthcare Textile Products

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When selecting fabric for use in healthcare textiles there are 5 important features to look for.  From patient gowns to bed linens, scrubs to privacy screens, health care textiles are found in almost every aspect of the healthcare industry.  Healthcare textiles represent a significant investment for any healthcare facility. When choosing fabrics, healthcare facilities can maximize the return on their textile investment and maintain a healthy environment for patient care and wellbeing by following these 5 guidelines.

Top 5 Guidelines for Purchasing Healthcare Textiles

1.   Stain Resistance

This is self-explanatory in the health care industry.  Resistance to common substances like grease, oils and biological contaminants is a given, but ease of clean up, using only mild soap and water is important for maintenance and a long useful product life.

2.   Antistatic

Build up of static electrical charges present a danger to patients and sensitive medical equipment.  Look for fabric formulated with antistatic properties to prevent accidental discharge.

3.   Odor Resistance

Although frequent washing is the best defense against odor, fabrics that actively resist the buildup of odor causing bacteria are a must.  Look for treated fabrics that resist the build up of bacteria.

4.   Durability

The cost of healthcare textiles is a significant budgetary line item.  Be certain to purchase fabrics that stand up to frequent washing and intense use.  Strong fabrics that resist tearing are especially important to maximize the life of the textiles.

5.   Antimicrobial

In a healthcare setting, textiles with antimicrobial properties are critical for preventing the spread of infection.  Look for fabric with a controlled release antimicrobial agent that should last the working life of the textile.

Following these 5 guidelines will insure you purchase fabrics of high quality, maximum cleanliness and ease of use in any healthcare facility.  But, just because the fabrics are durable, odor resistant antimicrobial, antistatic and stain resistant does not mean that they have to be utilitarian or boring. Healthcare textiles that contain these important qualities should also be decorative and appealing for patients and healthcare workers alike.