In order to evaluate the efficacy of two permanent and one topical anti-microbial technology on industrially laundered garments, AmeriPride and Canadian Linen and Uniform Services undertook three studies at their Toronto, Ontario, branch whereby a set of treated and non-treated garments were intentionally soiled with Staphylococcus aureus and then washed in a non-bleach wash formula to assess the ability of the fabric coating or treatment to reduce pathogen based bioburden as measured in colony for forming units (CFUs). The trial subjected the garments to 25 soil and wash replicates to assess the garments’ ability to reduce bioburden. Each study was conducted over an approximate four week period, with sampling done for each gar garment after drying. For the first trial which utilized a permanent finish of propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium, the treated and non-treated garments yielded similar CFU counts at the soil stage, but the treated garments had significantly lower CFU counts after the final wash cycle. For the second trial which utilized organofunctional silanes, the data yielded little difference in CFU counts from the treated garments to un-treated control group For the third trial which utilized oxygenated bleach products, the data gathered yielded little difference in CFU counts from the treated garments to un-treated control group. The treated garments however, showed a very consistent and low, single digit CFU reading, which was very encouraging. The most intriguing result from all three trials was the performance of the control sets of garments. With a few exceptions during the second trial, they performed well, with counts well within an acceptable range, lending credence to the value of a stringent wash and handling process. This article is accessible at the Controlled Environments website and appeared in the October 2010 issue

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• Ameripride Services

• Cleanroom

• Garment

• Laundry

• Contamination Control

• Controlled Environments

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