Summary:

Learn how anti-bacterial / anti-microbial fabric treatments like those in FibreGuard Outdoor actively combat bacteria growth, eliminate odours, and ensure truly all-weather durability.

Why Buy Anti-Bacterial Outdoor Fabrics?

Outdoor fabrics have a lot to deal with.

They face tough conditions that are always changing, from dew and rain to searing sun exposure and humidity. On top of this, all of these conditions can encourage the growth of microbes in the fabric, helping germ colonies get a foothold.

This is where anti-bacterial and anti-microbial outdoor fabrics come in, such as FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics. Without these features, however, moisture can build up in the fabric itself, creating an ideal environment for hidden microbes to thrive.

That unmistakable damp smell is a clear sign that your outdoor fabrics are in trouble. This is why the conversation around outdoor fabrics needs to evolve beyond simple fade resistance. A truly all-weather fabric must do more than repel rain or UV rays: it has to actively combat the germ growth that could come with outdoor exposure.

How do anti-microbial fabric treatments protect outdoor fabrics?

Understanding how anti-microbial and anti-bacterial technologies work helps explain why they're so essential for outdoor fabrics. Mould can show up on all kinds of materials, especially fabrics, if they’re a bit damp.

Those spores really like to settle on wet surfaces and start growing, which can lead to stains, unpleasant odours, and even damage to the material.

Mould microbes start munching on the fibres and breaks them down, which understandably has a knock-on effect. To keep fabrics safe, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial agents work by:

• Harming the bacteria cells
• Preventing the spread of germs

Damaging the bacteria cells:

So, when bacteria or mould start to grow on the treated fabric, the anti-microbial agents in the material actually damage their cell membranes, according to a peer-reviewed article in ACS Omega.

This really weakens their protective barriers and keeps them from surviving on the fabric.

Stopping the spread of germs:

When their membranes get damaged, the microbes can't reproduce. That same article in ACS Omega explains that this halts whole colonies from forming in fabric fibres.

Without the ability to reproduce, bacteria and fungi can't thrive and won’t survive, which means you won't see any visible mould spots or bacterial buildup on your fabric.

Why should anti-microbial and anti-bacterial fabric treatments be added in at the fibre level?

Just like FibreGuard’s fibre-level stain resistance, the anti-microbial and anti-bacterial features are actually woven right into the fibres too.

This means that the treatment is applied during the fabric production, not just sprayed on top. Thanks to this process, it cuts down on bacteria spread by more than 90%, even after you’ve washed multiple times.

How can we tell?

All of our fabrics are mechanically tested by Labotex, an independent textiles laboratory. These specific biological-related tests are carried out in other third party laboratories, and are still overseen by Labotex.

Important note: don’t forget to check the product specification labels to confirm if the collection you’re specifying has anti-microbial / anti-bacterial qualities. In the meantime, check out our full range of anti-bacterial / anti-microbial FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics on the Twinbru portal.

Fabric facts: what are solution dyed fabrics?

Solution dyed fabrics are textiles where the colour is added during the fibre production process, instead of afterwards. Think of the process like this, comparing carrots to cucumbers:

🥕 Carrot (like solution dyed fabric) 🥕

A carrot is orange all the way through, from the skin to the core. If you cut through it, you’ll see that the colour stays the same even in the middle. This is like solution dyed fabric: the colour is infused into the fibre itself before it's even made into yarn or fabric.

Result: The colour is more fade-resistant, especially to sunlight, washing, and chemicals.

🥒 Cucumber (like piece dyed fabric) 🥒

Now think of a cucumber: it’s deep solid green on the outside, but the colour fades to almost white inside. This is like traditional dyeing: the fabric is made first, then dyed afterward.

Result: The colour is only on the surface, so it can fade or wash out over time.

Why choose solution dyed fabrics?

1. Durability: Great for outdoor use (e.g., patio furniture, awnings).
2. Eco-friendly: Uses less water and chemicals.
3. Colourfastness: Resists fading much, much better than surface-dyed fabrics.

Handy tips for maintaining mould-free outdoor furniture

Here are some other tips you can take to keep your outdoor furniture looking good, no matter what brand they are. Just follow a few simple care tips:

1. Keep the air circulating: Don't leave cushions stacked or pressed against surfaces like walls or tables. Allow air to circulate around all sides of the fabric to stop moisture building up (germs love it).
2. Clean up spills: Cleaning spills immediately prevents organic matter from staying on the surface. This helps prevent attracting insects or creating moisture. FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics, of course, are stain-resistant fabrics.
3. Do some periodic maintenance: Give your outdoor cushions a quick rinse with water every few weeks during the season. This simple step removes accumulated dust, pollen, and environmental debris before they can create any issues. You don’t need to do this with FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics though!
4. Store your outdoor cushions properly: If you won't use cushions for a long time, store them in a dry, ventilated area. This helps prevent damage. All-weather fabrics like FibreGuard Outdoor don’t need this, but it can still help.
5. Avoid furniture covers that trap moisture: If you use furniture covers, make sure they are breathable! Covers that trap moisture can cause problems. Non-breathable covers like plastic can create the moisture issues you want to avoid.

Why choose FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics for powerful protection against germs?

Every FibreGuard fabric design is the result of over 100 durability tests. FibreGuard Outdoor’s anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties work seamlessly alongside our other advanced technologies too:

1. Easy maintenance: These outdoor upholstery materials are made to stay clean and boost hygiene, which is great for homes with kids or pets that can be a bit messy. One of the best things about them is how easy they are to take care of; you can just wipe our stain-resistant fabrics down with water and a bit of soap (if needed), making maintenance a breeze. Even with tougher stains such and sunscreens and oils.
2. Responsible design: All FibreGuard fabrics come with the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification, which means they’re free from harmful chemicals such as PFAs and VOCs.

Plus, we’ve added some eco-friendly options in our FibreGuard Outdoor collection, using recycled polyolefin as a base material. Some of our more enhanced ranges feature the special qualities of both FibreGuard Pro and FibreGuard Outdoor together, called FibreGuard Outdoor Pro.

This means that our customers get all the benefits of FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics with FibreGuard Pro’s uniquely breathable moisture backing.

Ready to experience truly all-weather outdoor fabrics?

Explore the full FibreGuard Outdoor collection and discover how fibre-level protection transforms outdoor living: Textures | Twinbru

Let’s wrap up: stopping mould and mildew with anti-bacterial / anti-microbial fabrics

Outdoor fabrics deal with a lot of difficult environmental elements that can make bacteria and mould grow.

In turn, this can cause bad smells and wear down the fabric fibres. Real all-weather fabrics need to do more than just resist fading or water. They have to fight off any pesky microbial growth too. FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics come with built-in anti-bacterial and anti-microbial treatments that help keep germs from taking over.

These agents mess with cell membranes and put a stop to reproduction, giving you strong, long-lasting protection against mould and bacteria.

This keeps things clean and durable, so you can enjoy your outdoor space to the fullest. Pretty cool, right? We like to think so. Contact our team today for stockist information.

Here are the key takeaways from this article:

• Outdoor fabrics need anti-microbial protection because exposure to the elements (moisture, sun) encourages germ growth, which causes bad smells and damages the material.
• Anti-microbial agents in fabrics like FibreGuard Outdoor and FibreGuard Pro damage bacteria cell walls and stop reproduction. This provides durable protection against mould and mildew.
• True all-weather fabrics must actively combat germs, not just resist water and fading.
• The anti-microbial features in FibreGuard Outdoor are built into the fibres, offering lasting effectiveness.
• Mould damage is often permanent, making proactive use of treated fabrics the best solution.

FAQ: furniture fabrics and mould

Can mould grow on a fabric sofa?

Yes, mould can absolutely grow on fabric sofas, and mould spores are found everywhere in the environment.

Outdoor sofas are especially vulnerable because they're exposed to morning dew, rain, and humidity. However, fabrics with anti-microbial properties like FibreGuard Outdoor actively prevent mould spores from growing.

Can mould on fabrics be harmful for human health?

Yes, moulds in general have the potential to cause health problems. It’s important to be proactive in our shopping choices because, as with anything, prevention is better than the cure.

Moulds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mould or mould spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, allergic responses to mould spores can include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis).

How to stop outdoor furniture from going mouldy?

1. Firstly, look for fabrics like FibreGuard Outdoor that are specifically designed for outdoor use with built-in anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties. These fabrics actively resist mould growth at the fibre level.
2. Secondly, follow simple maintenance steps like the ones we listed up above. This includes things like controlling air circulation, spot cleaning and proper storage.

Is mould damage to sofa fabric permanent?

Often yes: mould damage to fabric can be pretty tough to fix, and often it’s just permanent.

According to the EPA guide on mould, if furnishings are really badly damaged by mould, they’re usually beyond saving. Textiles are susceptible to mould growth, which can cause staining, weakening, or complete destruction of fibres. The Canadian Conservation Institute even recommends that soft furnishings and mattresses exposed to damp conditions be discarded.

Can mould damage synthetic fabric fibres?

Yes, mould can damage synthetic fabric fibres such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, if they’re not treated with anti-bacterial / anti-microbial properties like with our FibreGuard Outdoor and FibreGuard Pro collections.

Untreated synthetic fibres might be less friendly to fungi, but don’t let that fool you. Never underestimate the resourcefulness of germs.

What does mould on a couch look like?

Mould on outdoor furniture fabric typically appears as black, grey, or sometimes greenish spots on the fabric surface. The black or grey spots are mould or mildew colonies. The colour comes from the spores and mycelium (the root-like structure of the fungus).

In the early growth stages, you might see small, scattered dots that can look like dirt or staining. As mould colonies grow, these spots expand and may develop a fuzzy or slightly raised texture.