Microban

Microban Information

What is Microban?

Microban® antimicrobial protection is built-in to products during manufacturing to provide continuous antimicrobial product protection. Microban protection can be found in hundreds of consumer, industrial and medical products around the world. For an added level of product protection against microbes, look for the Microban® brand on the products you buy.

For more than thirty years, Phifer® Incorporated’s SheerWeave® Interior Sun Control Fabrics have provided an energy-efficient solution to combat glare, solar heat gain and excess light and help protect interior furnishings from fading.

And now, Phifer offers SheerWeave fabrics with exclusive Microban® antimicrobial protection to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew that can cause stains, odors and degrade the fabric. As Microban protection is infused into SheerWeave fabrics during manufacturing, Microban technology provides continuous cleanliness protection against microbes, keeping shades and blinds cleaner and fresher for longer than ever before.

Available in a range of colors and openness factors, SheerWeave fabrics can be used to create an array of different window treatments such as Roman shades, roller shades and vertical blinds. All SheerWeave products with Microban protection are lead-free and GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Children and Schools certified to ensure environmental safety and superior indoor air quality performance.

What's a Microbe?

Microbes or microorganisms are living cells that are too small to be seen with the naked eye and must be viewed through a microscope. The naked eye is only able to detect the presence of microbes once they have multiplied to the hundreds of thousands. And under the right conditions, microbes can double in number every 15-20 minutes. Types of microorganisms include bacteria, algae and fungi or mold.

*Microban® antimicrobial product protection is engineered to protect products from bacteria, mold and in some cases algae that can cause stains, odors and product deterioration. Microban protection is not designed to protect users from disease causing microorganisms.

Bacteria

Billions of years ago, bacteria were among the earliest forms of life on Earth. Today, bacteria are present in the soil, in the air, in water, on plants and even on animals and humans.

There’s no escaping the presence of bacteria and in fact, many of the bacteria we encounter are beneficial to the environment and even to the human body helping us to digest food for example. However, some bacteria can adversely affect the everyday products we use in our lives causing stains, odors and product deterioration.

Fungus

Early fossil records suggest that fungi have been on Earth for over 550 million years. And some experts estimate that today over 1.5 million fungus species exist. Common fungi include mushrooms, puffballs, truffles, yeasts and most mildews. Fungi are commonly referred to as mold and begin life as microscopic airborne spores that germinate on contact with the surface of a nonliving organic matter where moisture is present. Mold is then able to penetrate the organic material, secreting enzymes and absorbing water and the digested sugars and starches from the nutrient source.

Mold spores are present everywhere in our indoor and outdoor environment and many of the products found in our homes provide rich nutrient sources. The best defense is prevention: control moisture in your home including high humidity levels and look for products that resist the growth of mold.

Algae

Simple, plantlike microorganisms, algae are often classified at the phylum level according to their color, i.e. green, red, golden-brown and brown. Algae vary in size from microscopic algae to the largest forms such as seaweeds. While they can vary in habitat, most algae are found in fresh water or seawater. Algae use the energy of sunlight through the process of photosynthesis to make their own food.

Algae produce more oxygen than all plants combined and play an invaluable role in our ecosystem. Humans have also found other uses for algae, as food for people and animals, as thickening agents in ice cream, in shampoos and even in some drugs. In some cases, they can however damage product surfaces for example your swimming pool filter, the hull of your boat, or the exterior of your home.