A Home Away from Home: How FibreGuard Pro Supports RMHC Families

When a child is hospitalised, the world stops.

For the families at Ronald McDonald House (RMHC) Auckland, the 'House' isn’t just a building: it’s a sanctuary. Every detail of this space is designed to offer a moment of calm. We’re proud to share how FibreGuard Pro is helping RMHC New Zealand provide a safe, soft, and worry-free environment for families when they need it most.

The main aim of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is to provide a place to stay for families with hospitalised children and teens while they are being treated away from home in hospitals and medical facilities.

This charity provides three core offerings:

1. the House program
2. the Family Room program
3. the Care Mobile program, which brings medical, dental, and healthcare resources to underserved communities where they’re needed the most.

Each of the Ronald McDonald House Charity locations supports parents and families of sick children all around the globe, and FibreGuard fabrics are proud to have worked with the RMHC in Grafton, Auckland through James Dunlop Textiles.

The Ronald McDonald House has a vision: A world where all children have access to medical care and their families are supported and actively involved in their children’s care.

In 2019, RMHC New Zealand provided more than 4,600 families with accommodation and support free of charge at its facilities throughout New Zealand.

Performance Under Pressure: Meeting Commercial Healthcare Needs

Sojo Design, an interior design and home staging company in New Zealand, was engaged to specify new fabrics for the seating in the reception area of the Auckland Ronald McDonald house.

This is understandably a high-traffic space, designed with comfort primarily in mind. However, there was a need to also create a hospital-like environment, and as such, this project had to meet the requirements for a commercial healthcare grade project.

This is where our new anti-microbial fabric range, FibreGuard Pro, came into play. We are delighted to see our fabrics used in such a cheerful space and for such a vital cause.

Tough on Germs, Gentle on Families

Sojo Design specified FibreGuard Pro for the reception area seating as these fabrics are uniquely stain-resistant, antimicrobial and water-resistant. They are tough yet gentle, fantastically soft, strong and easy to clean.

RMHC® New Zealand gives families with a hospitalised child what they need most — each other.

The stain-resistant and antimicrobial properties of this range lie inherently within the yarn itself, and cannot be washed off. This ensures total protection, every day and night.

The tactile attributes and colourway variety of FibreGuard Pro fabrics proved that they are fit for purpose and cost-effective as well.

Beyond the Surface: Fabric Safety for Vulnerable Communities

No harmful finishes or residues are released into the world from our fabrics. This is something that of course is of utmost importance for human use, as well as for the health of the families and children using these facilities.

Read all about this here >

The Science of Softness: Breathable Moisture Barriers Explained

The water-resistant properties of FibreGuard Pro are achieved through a breathable moisture membrane within the fabric. Stains can be simply cleaned with water and a cloth, just like the other FibreGuard fabric ranges. Read more about how to clean our high-performance fabrics here.

FibreGuard Pro fabrics have been tested to the toughest conditions – over 70,000 abrasion tests.

Read about the textiles testing procedures here >

Bring This Level of Performance to Your Next Commercial Space

By choosing FibreGuard Pro, Sojo Design has proved that healthcare environments don’t need to feel clinical. With its permanent anti-microbial protection and industry-leading durability, this project serves as a gold-standard case study for modern commercial interior design.

Key Takeaways

1. Hospital-Grade Hygiene: FibreGuard Pro features an inherent anti-microbial finish that reduces the growth of bacteria by more than 90%.
2. The Softest Barrier: Our unique moisture-barrier membrane is flexible and breathable, maintaining a luxurious, soft-to-the-touch feel.
3. Cleanliness Made Simple: Most spills can be removed using just water, reducing the need for harsh chemical cleaners.
4. Built to Last: Tested to over 70,000 rubs (Martindale), these fabrics are engineered for high-traffic commercial reception areas.
5. Certified Safe: Every fabric is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, guaranteeing they are free from PFAS and harmful chemicals.