25 - Care, maintenance and disposability of medical and protective textile products

Abstract

Medical and protective textile products are considered very important due to their requirement for protection from hostile environments and the spread of infection. However used clothing of the general public (householders, workers, hotel and restaurant workers, etc.), and medical and healthcare professionals' can become soiled and/or stained in many ways during their use. Hence, proper care and maintenance of these textile materials through washing or cleaning, drying, and refurbishing for reuse are essential for prolonging their durability and appearance, and to reduce the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. On the other hand, disposable products (hygiene products, gloves, caps, bandages, gauze, etc.) are meant to be used just once, and these products have short life applications. This chapter describes methods for the care and maintenance, focusing on laundering, dry-cleaning processes, green cleaning approaches, and disposal of medical clothes. The relevant standards for care and maintenance of reusable clothing are also discussed. Future perspectives and key challenges are discussed at the end of the chapter.