Triclosan Antimicrobial Textile Treatment

Triclosan (2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether, MW 289 g/mol) is applied to synthetic fibers via exhaustion at 0.5–1.5% owf in nonionic surfactant carrier (1–2 g/L) at 60–80°C for 30 min, or via melt spinning incorporation into polyester or nylon at 0.3–1.0% w/w for fiber-embedded durability. Bacteriostatic at 0.1 µg/mL MIC (FabI inhibition) and bactericidal at 10 µg/mL. Surface-applied treatments maintain 3–4 log reduction through 25–30 wash cycles. FDA banned triclosan in consumer wash-off products (2016 rule) but permits use in non-wash-off textiles. EU restricts to biocidal product registration under BPR PT9. Microbiome disruption concerns limit consumer acceptance; market declining in favor of silver and QAC alternatives.