| abstract |
Improvements in wash durability and discoloration levels are provided for fabrics having a locally applied silver ion treatment (eg, ion exchange compounds such as zirconium phosphate, glass and / or zeolite). Such solid compounds are generally subject to discoloration and, due to their solidity, are usually prone to falling out of topical surface applications. The treatment of the present invention requires the presence of certain polyurethane binders as a component of a dye bath mixture mixed with a silver ion topcoat or silver ion antimicrobial compound. In addition, certain metal halide additives (preferably substantially free of sodium ions) are used to prevent discoloration typical of such silver ion-containing compositions. As a result, the wash durability, discoloration level, or both do not fade at a rate that can be recognized by the process of the present invention after a substantial number of standard laundering and drying cycles, and the color of the treated product is substantially the same as the initial application. It can be improved so that the same level remains. Specific treatment methods and further treated fabrics are also encompassed by the present invention. |