Polyester-cotton Blend Research Articles

Phosphorylated chitosan polymer as flame retardant and antimicrobial agents for cotton and cotton-polyester blends fabrics

Phosphorylated chitosan polymer as flame retardant and antimicrobial agents for cotton and cotton-polyester blends fabrics

Mitigating Microfiber Pollution in Laundry Wastewater: Insights from a Filtration System Case Study in Galle, Sri Lanka

Synthetic fibers are widely used in daily life due to their durability, elasticity, low cost, and ease of use. The textile industry is the primary source of synthetic microfibers, as these materials are mostly used in production processes. Globally, plastic pollution has been identified as a major environmental threat in this era, since plastics are not degradable but break down into smaller particles such as mesoplastics, microplastics, and microfibers. Synthetic microfiber pollution is a significant issue in aquatic ecosystems, including oceans and rivers, with laundry wastewater being a major source. This problem is particularly pressing in cities like Galle, Sri Lanka, where numerous tourist hotels are located. Despite the urgency, there has been a lack of scientific and systematic analysis to fully understand the extent of the issue. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the generation of microfibers from laundry activities at a selected hotel and evaluating the efficiency of a laundry wastewater filtration system. This study focused on a fully automatic front-loading washing machine (23 kg capacity) with a load of 12 kg of polyester–cotton blend serviettes (black and red). Samples (1 L each) were taken from both treated and untreated wastewater during four wash cycles, with a total of 100 L of water used for the process. The samples were filtered through a 100 μm sieve and catalytic wet oxidation along with density separation were employed to extract the microfibers, which were then collected on a membrane filter paper (0.45 μm). Microfibers were observed and analyzed for shapes, colors and sizes under a stereo microscope. Results revealed that untreated laundry wastewater contained 10,028.7 ± 1420.8 microfibers per liter (n = 4), while treated wastewater samples recorded 191.5 ± 109.4 microfibers per liter (n = 4). Most of the microfibers observed were black and white/transparent colors. Further analysis revealed that 1 kg of polyester–cotton blend fabric can generate 336,833 microfibers per wash, which was reduced to 6367 microfibers after treatment. The filtration unit recorded an impressive efficiency of 98.09%, indicating a remarkably high capacity for removing microfibers from wastewater. These findings highlight the potential of such filtration techniques to significantly reduce microfiber emissions from laundry wastewater, presenting a promising approach to mitigating environmental pollution from microfibers.

Effect of block copolymer silicone softener on textile fabric hydrophilicity, softness, and durability

The present work addressed the effect of the structural intensification of amino-functional silicone softeners on selected functional properties of polyester, cotton/polyester, knotted cotton and terry towel fabrics. The amino-functional silicone softener formulations contain two comb-structured compounds (primary and secondary amino-silicone) and one block-structured compound (quaternary amino-silicone) softener. Amino-silicone surfactant was made using stable emulsions, and the treated fabric's performance were carefully examined and their wettability and softening capacities were compared. The resultant fabric was physically, morphologically and structurally analyzed using particle size analysis (PSA), FTIR, SEM, EDAX and expert panel hand-feel testing. It was observed that primary and secondary amino-silicone softeners had good softening ability but less hydrophilic effect on the cotton-polyester blend fabric. However, because of the different structural characteristics of the quaternary amino-silicone softener, variations in the wettability and softening ability of blend fabrics were noticed. Due to their superior softness, hydrophilicity, surface tension, and contact angle properties when compared to primary and secondary amino-silicone surfactants, quaternary amino-silicone surfactants are valued as versatile additives in a range of industries and applications. Finally, it has been observed that the prototype fabric softeners containing silicone derivatives may provide quality features that enhance fiber properties.

A Feasible and Efficient Monitoring Method of Synthetic Fibers Released during Textile Washing

Microfibers (MFs) are one of the most common and hazardous forms of microplastic found in the aquatic environment. The methods of collecting and analyzing MFs released during washing have to be developed and standardized to understand and model the process of microfibers’ emission better. This study tests a new, innovative method to check if laundry fiber sampling can be approached comprehensively. Pieces of synthetic materials (aged and new polyester, polyester-cotton blend) were placed in chromium-nickel filters envelope-like folded. Then, textile weathering during washing was monitored by the quality and quantity of fibers found directly on the filter surface. Laundry parameters like temperature, detergent presence, and filter size were changed, and results were monitored by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), a well-known standard in microplastic identification. In addition, ATR spectra were collected to characterize the materials in detail and evaluate their aging level. Spectroscopy can be used to detect and examine both mechanical and chemical degradation, and the collected microfibers can be assigned to the material they come from. Finally, a quantitative comparison of fibers released during different washing conditions can be used for the process optimization to minimize its environmental impact.

Factors affecting biofilm formation by bacteria on fabrics.

Fabrics act as fomites for microorganisms, thereby playing a significant role in infection transmission, especially in the healthcare and hospitality sectors. This study aimed to examine the biofilm formation ability of four nosocomial infection-causing bacteria (Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) on cotton, polyester, polyester-cotton blend, silk, wool, viscose, and nylon, used frequently in the healthcare sector, by qualitative and quantitative methods. The impact of temperature, pH, and relative humidity(RH) on biofilm formation was also assessed. P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were strong biofilm producers, while E. coli produced weak biofilm. Wool (maximum roughness) showed the highest bacterial load, while silk (lowest roughness) showed the least. P. aeruginosa exhibited a higher load on all fabrics, than other test bacteria. Extracellular polymeric substances were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. Roughness of biofilms was assessed by atomic force microscopy. For biofilm formation, optimum temperature, pH, and RH were 30°C, 7.0, and 62%, respectively. MgCl2 and CaCl2 were the most effective in removing bacterial biofilm. In conclusion, biofilm formation was observed to be influenced by the type of fabric, bacteria, and environmental conditions. Implementing recommended guidelines for the effective disinfection of fabrics is crucial to curb the risk of nosocomial infections. In addition, designing modified healthcare fabrics that inhibit pathogen load could be an effective method to mitigate the transmission of infections.

Melt Spinning Process Optimization of Polyethylene Terephthalate Fiber Structure and Properties from Tetron Cotton Knitted Fabric.

Polyester/cotton fabrics with different proportions of Tetron Cotton, TC (35% Cotton/65% PET), and Chief Value Cotton, CVC (60% Cotton/40% PET), were investigated by removing the cotton component under various phosphoric acidic conditions including the use of cellulase enzymes. The remaining polyethylene terephthalate (PET) component was spun using the melt spinning method. Only 85% H3PO4-Enz_TC could be spun into consistent filament fibers. The effects of Acid-Enz TC (obtained from a powder preparation of 85% H3PO4-Enz_TC) at different weight amounts (1, 2, 5, and 10 %wt) blending with WF-rPET powder prepared by white recycled polyester fabric were evaluated for fiber spinnability at different winding speeds of 1000 and 1500 m/min. The results revealed that recycled PET fiber spun by adding Acid-Enz_TC up to 10 %wt gave uniformly distributed filament fibers. A comparative study of the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties also investigated the relationship between the effect of Acid-Enz_TC and the structure of the obtained fibers. Acid-Enz_TC:WF-rPET (5:95) was the optimal ratio. The thermal values were analyzed by DSC and TGA and crystallinity was analyzed by XRD, with mechanical strength closed to 100% WF-rPET. The FTIR analysis of the functional groups showed the removal of cotton from the blended fabrics. Other factors such as the Acid-Enz_TC component in WF-rPET, extraction conditions, purity, thermal, chemical, and exposure experiences also affected the formability and properties of recycled PET made from non-single-component raw materials. This study advanced the understanding of recycling PET from TC fabrics by strategically removing cotton from polyester-cotton blends and then recycling using controlled conditions and processes via the melt spinning method.

Sustainable Aspects of Multiple-Use Woven Fabric in the Hospital Environment: Comfort and Textile Dust Generation Perspectives

Textile dust released from hospital textiles is a considerable food source for pathogenic microorganisms and can lead to infections and illness in patients and medical staff. In addition, it often causes malfunctions in sophisticated medical equipment. The structural parameters of the fabric, such as the raw material composition, the thread density and the fabric weave, can influence the amount of dust produced. Friction between threads in a woven fabric plays a crucial role in dust generation, and friction is influenced by the surface structure of fibres, yarns and fabric. Understanding these factors can help in the development of fabrics with lower release of textile dust, which can reduce the risk of spreading infections in healthcare facilities. In this paper, the influence of the washing cycle on the change in morphological properties of fabrics in satin weave made of cotton–polyester blends was investigated. The study showed that as the number of maintenance washing cycles increases, the waviness, roughness and average amplitude of the surface roughness profile of the wove fabrics increases. Damage to the fibres during washing results in dust release, with synthetic fibres releasing less dust than cotton fibres. These results provide important information about the change in fabric properties during the washing process, which may be useful for further research and development of materials for use in a hospital environment.

Particle Shedding from Cotton and Cotton-Polyester Fabrics in the Dry State and in Washes.

The influence of 3, 10 and 50 washing cycles on the properties of cotton fabric and cotton-polyester blend in plain weave, was investigated in this study. In addition to the analysis of tensile properties in weft and warp directions and thickness, the number of particles produced in the dry state was also measured after 3, 10 and 50 washes. After washing, the entire effluent was analysed by determining the total suspended solids (TSS), the total solids (TS), the pH value and the conductivity. To determine the similarity of the observed wash cycles and properties of all processed samples, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was performed. The fabric changes indicated by total wear in the warp direction after 50 washing cycles compared to unwashed ones amounting to 41.2% for cotton and 30.9% for cotton-polyester blend, may be attributed to the synergy of washing factors and raw material composition. Cotton fabric produced significantly more particles than cotton-polyester fabric in the dry state after the examined washing cycles in all size categories. A smaller number of released particles are in the larger size category >25 μm. The obtained TSS values confirm the degree of loading of the effluent with particulate matter from the analysed fabrics, since the detergent consists of water-soluble components. The HCA dendrograms confirmed that the release of particles during the first washing cycles is mainly determined by the structural properties of fabrics, while in the subsequent cycles the synergistic effect of chemical, mechanical and thermal effects in the interaction with the material prevailed.

30 Engineered Nanoparticle Resuspension Contributing to Inhalation Exposure from Contaminated Protective Clothing

Abstract In this study, we investigated engineered nanoparticle (ENP) release associated with the contamination of personal protective clothing during the simulated motion of the human wearing the ENP-contaminated protective clothing and evaluated the relative ENP retention on the fabric. The release of airborne ENPs can contribute to inhalation exposure, which is the route of exposure of most concern to cause adverse health effects in the pulmonary system. The evaluation focuses on four popular fabric materials making the laboratory coats (cotton, polypropylene, polyester cotton blend, and Tyvek®) and three types of ENPs (Al2O3, carbon black and CNT). The magnitudes of particle contamination and resuspension were investigated by measuring the number concentration increase of airborne particles in sizes of 10 nm to 10 μm and the weight changes on fabric pieces. Collected aerosol particles and contaminated fabric surfaces were further characterized for understanding particle morphology, elements, agglomeration and surface contamination status. The particle resuspension from contaminated lab coat fabric was found to vary by the type of fabric material. Cotton fabric showed the highest level of particle resuspension for all three tested ENPs. Data were evaluated to determine the dominant forces responsible for ENP adhesion on the surface of the fabric. Tyvek® fabric was determined as the best fabric for trapping Al2O3 and carbon black ENPs indicating less resuspension of particles meaning lower subsequent release, but not durable enough to wear for the long term compared with other fabrics.

Investigating how the dye colour is impacted when chemically separating polyester-cotton blends

Blended textile fabrics with dyed cotton and polyester (PET) fibres intimately mixed are extensively used in the textile industry. Separating and recycling these blends cannot be performed by conventional mechanical or chemical recycling processes, and this is contributing significantly to the global textile waste problem. Here we demonstrate an approach to separate coloured cotton and polyester blends, and the dye is retained in the separated polyester and cotton components. The separation was achieved via chemical dissolution of cotton using a co-solvent system of ionic liquid and dimethyl sulfoxide, from which regenerated cellulose fibres could be directly wet spun. The polyester component was left intact and recovered via filtration. The recovered products were characterised for thermal, chemical, mechanical, colour strength, and morphological properties.

Drape behaviour and shear properties of fabrics

The studies have been carried out using 15 fabric samples (linen, cotton, polyester-cotton blend, denim and corduroy) of varying areal density for investigating fabric shear properties at different angles. It is observed that there is a high correlation between the drape and the shear properties of the fabric at different shear angles.

Damage characteristics of fabrics created by TASER probes

TASER® weapons are conducted energy weapons (CEWs) that are frequently used by police departments around the world. CEWs can be deployed in two methods: drive stun application and probe deployment. This study aims to examine damages caused by TASER devices on fabrics and whether types of fabric material and TASER models could contribute to different damage features. Three types of white fabric were used, including 100% cotton, 100% polyester, and 65:35 polyester-cotton blend. Three models: TASER X26P, TASER X2, and TASER 7 were shot onto each type of fabric, with five repetitions each. Each damaged area on the fabric caused by a probe is a sample (n= 90) and was examined with a Keyence digital microscope. Images were captured by the Keyence microscope and measurements were recorded, including damage dimensions, fabric condition, evidence of burning, and extra findings. The presence of fused yarn ends was found to be statistically significant across the fabric types, and no damage features were found that may assist in the identification of TASER models. Other damage features including damage dimensions, discoloration, and fiber deformation were not found to be showing apparent differences according to statistical analysis. The conclusions made by this research should be used with caution due to the small sample size.

Effect of Cotton/Polyester Blend Ratio, Loom Speed, and Air Pressure on Yarn Twist Loss and Yarn Strength Loss: The Case of Air-Jet Loom

ABSTRACT Production of high-quality woven fabric with uniform fabric properties is an essential requirement for manufacturers. But in air-jet weaving, some quality parameters of the fabric are affected by twist loss of weft yarn during weft insertion. The aim of this work is to show the effect of polyester/cotton (PC) blend ratio, loom speed, and air pressure on weft yarn twist loss and tensile properties of the fabrics produced by air-jet weaving machines. Box-Behnken design has been used to design and analyze the experiment. 27 fabric samples were on an air-jet loom with a combination of four factors each at three levels (loom speed (A) 300rpm, 425rpm, and 550rpm), left side relay nozzle pressure (LSRNP) (B) (2.5 bar,3.25 bar, and 4 bar), Right side relay nozzle pressure (RSRNP)(C) (3 bar, 4.75 bar, and 6.5 bar), cotton/polyester blend (D) 100%/0%, 75%/25%, and 50%/50%,). The results of the experiment revealed that PC blend ratio, loom speed, and air pressure affect the twist level and the strength of the yarn significantly. It is found that relay nozzle air pressure is directly proportional to the twist losses and weft yarn strength loss. But the PC blend ratio has a more significant impact on weft yarn twist loss and mechanical properties of the yarn.

IMPROVEMENT OF FLAME RETARDANT AND ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF COTTON-POLYESTER BLEND FABRICS

The fire retardant and antibacterial characteristics of cotton-polyester blend fabric have been improved. A composition has been developed for complex finishing of fabric using a phosphorus-containing substance on a biological basis, which, due to its high phosphorus content, can provide a fire-retardant function to textile material, as well as increase its antimicrobial properties. The thermal characteristics of treated textile materials have been studied and it has been established that the presence of phytic acid at the initial stage of destruction shifts the temperature towards lower values due to the activation of phytic acid degradation before the decomposition of the main substrate. The maximum temperature at which the final destruction of the cotton-polyester fabric occurs shifts to higher temperatures from 507°C for the untreated fabric to 565°C for the treated fabric, and the presence of dry residue increases by more than 2.5 times, which proves an increase in the heat resistance of the textile material. The length of the damaged area in the vertical combustion test was 6.5 cm, and the absence of drop formation of the polyester component was also noted, which eliminates the potential destructive effect due to the possible formation of additional fire areas. An increase in fabric antimicrobial activity is confirmed by a zone of inhibition of 2 – 4 mm around the sample using the diffusion method with gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus pyogenes, as well as a pronounced growth inhibition of microorganisms around fabric samples examined by the method of inoculation of microflora from the environment. Treatment with the studied composition improves washing resistance and does not impair the mechanical properties of the textile material by increasing the degree of crosslinking of the polymer components used in the finishing composition.

One-bath one-dye class dyeing of polyester/cotton blend fabric with disperse dye after esterification of cotton fabric

Most often, reactive and disperse dyes are utilized separately in two- bath two-step dyeing method to dye polyester-cotton blend fabric. The cost of this conventional dyeing method is very expensive; energy and chemical usage is also quite higher in addition to this, the dyeing cycle is complex as compared to one-bath two-step dyeing methods or single-bath single-step dyeing methods. The single-bath single-step dyeing procedure with a single type of dye class was studied in this research. Following surface treatment of cotton through esterification procedures, polyester-cotton blend fabric dyed in single-bath single-step dyeing processes with disperse dye was examined. The association between time and the percentage of esterification was investigated at room temperature. Varying dye concentrations and dyeing temperatures were utilized to dye surface-treated p/c blend fabric in an HTHP dyeing machine. The color strength of dyed material and their fastness properties and the Surface chemistry by using FTIR were evaluated. The influence of dye concentration and temperature on color strength was investigated. With a 15% esterifying agent concentration and a reaction period of 2.5 h, the optimum value for surface modification was obtained, yielding a percent esterification of 34.95. The optimal value was attained with a dye concentration above 1% at a temperature of 120 °C, according to the dyeing experiment results. The findings of this study revealed that when compared to conventional two-bath dyed fabric, one-step one-bath dyed modified polyester/cotton blend with Disperse dye fabric has good wash fastness, and color strength, and is environmentally friendly.

INVESTIGATION OF ANTI-PILLING PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT FABRICS APPLIED WITH POLYVINYLCAPROLACTAM

Pilling is one of the most important problems in the textile industry still not confidently solved. The problem is a kind of mechanically caused fabric defect consisting by a series of roughly spherical masses of entangled fibers called pills. Many studies have been carried out to define this problem in detail, determine the pilling intensity by different methods and improve the pilling grades of fabrics. One of the most beneficial methods to improve values is chemical finishing by applying specific polymers. In this study, a specific synthesized anti-pilling polymer was used for chemical finishing by padding method. A specific polymer based on polyvinylcaprolactam (PVCL) was synthesized and applied on the fabrics. The polymer has been characterized with FT-IR, NMR, DSC, elemental analysis devices also to optimize application-parameters. Especially pilling grades of blended fabrics of natural and synthetic staple fibres are often worser then other non blended fabrics, PVCL polymer was applied on a selection of different polyester cotton blends or polyester viscose blend, which have pilling values between 2-3. PVCL-Polymer applications were carried out by using these 7 different fabrics. As a result, approximately 1.5-2 pilling degree improvement was achieved. Anti-pilling polymers applied on the fabrics used to improve pilling values often decrease hydrophilicity values of the fabrics and worsen touch. However, the specific PVCL-polymer does not lead to a loss of smooth hand neighter to a loss of smooth fabric touch. On the contrary, it improves both hydrophilicity and smooth touch not causing fabric yellowing. PCVL is distinguished from other products used for pilling improvement in the textile industry.

Manifestation of TASER drive stun burn marks on fabrics.

The TASER® is a type of conducted energy weapon (CEW) used with increasing frequency by law enforcement to subdue subjects in circumstances where compliance is necessary. When operated in the drive stun method of deployment, the electrodes at the head of this CEW are intended to make direct contact with a surface, generating heat and light which may result in burn marks as a by-product of the electrical discharge that occurs. This research aims to tackle a crucial gap in CEW research that fails to address the appearance of burn marks on fabrics. A drive stun duration (DSD) of 1, 3, and 5s was used with three TASER models (X26P, X2, & TASER 7) on three fabrics (white 100% cotton, 100% polyester, 35:65 cotton-polyester blend) with an underlying backing of pork hock. Using a Keyence VHX-6000 confocal microscope, high magnification images were taken to observe any qualitative changes to the fabric. On polyester fabric, with increasing DSD, darker brown discoloration occurred. Additionally, on polyester fabric, the spatial orientation of the burn marks corresponded with that of the electrodes at the muzzle of each TASER model. These features enabled the correct identification of the TASER model and DSD on polyester fabric in the blind tests performed. Evidence of burn marks on cotton and blend fabrics were both limited and inconsistent such that no features were sufficiently unique to link them to any TASER model or DSD. Despite this, overall features such as discoloration and the formation of holes on these fabric types may be sufficiently unique to suggest the use of a CEW.

Development of Thermal Camouflage Polyester-Cotton Blended Fabric for Defense Security Personnel via Coating with Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide

ABSTRACT In this study, graphene oxide (GO) was prepared with modified Hummer’s method while reduce graphene oxide (rGO) was prepared in the presence of hydrazine hydrate and then coated on polyester cotton (PC) blend camouflage pattern print fabric using the pad-dry-cure method. The as-synthesized GO and rGO were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis, X-ray diffraction (xRD), and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The surface morphology and the thermal camouflage property of the coated fabric were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared thermal imaging test, respectively. The average particle size of GO and rGO were 99.8 nm and 0.4 nm, respectively. The fabrics treated with GO and rGO apparently reduced the emitting temperature of the human body and made it similar to the surrounding environment. The increase in the concentration of coating materials (GO and rGO) resulted in the enhancement of camouflage property. Interestingly, the camouflage property of the coated fabric was very good even after several washing cycles. Based on these scientific outcomes, the coating of PC fabric with GO and rGO is a novel and successful approach in the development of thermal camouflage technical textiles which can be potentially applied on pilot-scale experiments to establish its industrial-scale feasibility.

Circ raises funds for textile recycling

The Virginia-based textile recycling start-up Circ has raised $30 million in a series B funding round. The investment was led by the Bill Gates–founded Breakthrough Energy Ventures and joined by the clothing retailer Inditex and the textile manufacturer Milliken, among other new and existing investors. Circ’s central claim is that it can recycle cotton-polyester blends with any ratio of the two fiber types using hydrothermal technology. The dual outputs can then be used to make cellulosic textiles such as lyocell or viscose on the one hand and new polyester textiles on the other. If successful, Circ will get around a barrier to fabric recycling by tackling both components of popular cotton-poly blends. Existing recycling processes often treat one or the other component as waste—if they can handle blends at all. Tiffany Hua, an analyst at the market intelligence firm Lux Research, points to Infinited Fiber , which raised $36 million

Effect of Antimicrobial Finish in Reducing Bacterial Load on White Coats

Garments of health care workers are important aspects of the environment of a healthcare facility and are known to get contaminated with microbes during use. They can act as carriers as well as transmitters of infections. As the nurses work in the hospital the newly laundered uniforms may also get contaminated within hours of donning. Hence, there is a need of an effective strategy to prevent cross contamination by reducing the bio-burden on the surface of the uniforms/white coats. One of the strategies that can be used for microbial control is the use of antimicrobial finishes. Silver based antimicrobial finishes have been tested extensively in laboratories, but there are few studies which have been carried out in vivo, that are on fabrics and garments being used in a hospital under real life conditions. This paper investigates the efficacy of commercial silver based antimicrobial finish in reducing bacterial load on nurses’ white coats in a hospital. The study was conducted in 100 bedded tertiary care government hospital in Delhi. Polyester and polyester cotton blend fabric was treated with Antimicrobial (AM) finish. Swatches of 20cm x 10cm each were cut from both fabrics and stitched to make a composite patch of 20cm x 20cm. At the beginning of shift a composite patch of untreated and treated fabric respectively was stitched on the left and right side of the washed white coat of participating nurse. The patched coat was worn by the nurse during her shift after which the patches were removed and plated. Microbial contamination on polyester and blend fabrics after 6 hours shift was compared in Brain Heart Infusion broth (BHI). Isolates of Staphylococci, Salmonella, Streptococci, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) were studied in selective media. Untreated polyester and blend fabric showed a total bacterial count of 886 and 1525 CFUs respectively after the 6 hours shift. After treatment with antimicrobial finish, bacterial count on both fabrics reduced by 81%. Isolates of all seven bacteria were detected on all untreated swatches, ranging from 18 CFUs (VRE) to 440 CFUs (E. coli) on polyester and 46 CFUs (VRE) to 627 CFUs (E coli) on blend. Nearly 100% reduction in the number of colonies was observed for Salmonella, Streptococci, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Klebsiella and E. coli while 73.7% reduction in Staphylococci genus and 94.4% in VRE was observed. Use of a silver based antimicrobial finish can bring down bacterial contamination in nurses’ white coats by nearly 81% irrespective of the type of fabric used to make the coat. Antimicrobial finish can be an effective strategy in reducing the bacterial burden in hospital uniforms.