Fragrance Finishing on Textile Substrate for Odour Control

Textile materials are intended to absorb the odour created in the environment through various human daily activities, such as smoking, cooking, and perspiration. This odour creates a serious impact on the environment and humans, thereby hindering the healthy lifestyle of humans. The conventional method for removal of absorbed malodours by textiles involves absorption/adsorption of volatile organic compounds, hot or steam water extraction, and fragrance finishing for controlling odour-producing agents. The drawbacks of these methods include high cost and non-reusability of the sorptive chemicals used for odour control, deterioration of fabric, and excessive usage of water due to hot and steam treatment. The fragrance finishing on fabrics with scented powders and sprays provide the temporary pleasant smell; upon usage, fabric malodour again appears. Microencapsulation is an emerging technique adopted for controlling the odour created by microbial activity. Essential oils are widely used as they can be coated on textiles to develop odour control fabric. The method of manufacturing textile-based substrate for controlling and reducing the odour creating organism are essential to battle against indoor air pollution.