FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a fresh finish for textiles necessary?

Textiles without fresh finish, especially when worn next to the skin, are a perfect breeding ground for micro-organisms, such as bacteria. In unfinished textiles bacteria may degrade perspiration into products of unpleasant odour. The textiles start to smell.

The anti-bacterial function of SILVERPLUS® prevents bacteria-induced body odours in textiles.
After having washed my textiles, they no longer smell. Why shall I buy a SILVERPLUS® textile?

Textiles are often only washed because they smell of perspiration but not because they are dirty. Textiles finished with SILVERPLUS® do not have to be washed immediately due to the incorporated fresh function. SILVERPLUS® textiles can be hung up after wearing and be worn again the next day.

This means that the life span of textiles is prolonged due to the reduced numbers of wash cycles necessary and respectively reduced wear. On the one hand this is easy on the wallet, and, on the other hand, it contributes to environmental protection, since fewer wash cycles reduce the consumption of energy (electricity, water) and detergent.

Moreover, depending on the degree of soiling, a washing temperature of 40° C max. is sufficient by far to wash a SILVERPLUS® textile. Without SILVERPLUS® this temperature is ideal for bacteria growth in textiles and, consequently, washing temperatures above 60° C would be necessary.

Why can SILVERPLUS® products be so easily applied to textiles without binder systems and have wash-resistant fresh effects?

This is due to a special micro-pigmentation of SILVERPLUS® products. Remember ordinary soot – it consists of many black micro-pigments. If such soot gets onto textiles, usually a black soot stain arises, which is still visible after several wash cycles. These pigments stick without binder systems due to the intensive hooking-in in the fibre interstices of textiles, even after washing. This is how you can imagine the purely mechanical adhesion of SILVERPLUS® products in textiles. The wash-resistant SILVERPLUS® fresh function without binder system is based on this simple technical fact.
How easy can SILVERPLUS® products be applied in textile final finishing?

Very simple – “plug-and-play“. The products can be easily integrated in existing final finishing recipes by ordinary dissolution of the product.

How to convey the SILVERPLUS® fresh effects?

The best test is experience. For a wear test RUDOLF provides, on request, test sachets for finishing textiles on one’s own in a washing machine. In addition, we offer SILVERPLUS® test sprays for treating new shoes to keep them odour-free longer.

If the anti-bacterial function has to be proved by a test certificate, RUDOLF cooperates with absolutely independent test institutes which are proficient in testing according to the suitable stringent methods for non-migrating anti-microbial products.
Is SILVERPLUS® nanotechnology?

No. SILVERPLUS® products are not based on nanotechnology. The particle size of SILVERPLUS® products is in micro-range > 100 nm.

see also "Newsletter - SILVERPLUS® is not nano"
Is SILVERPLUS® a “chemical cosh”?

No. In SILVERPLUS® products RUDOLF has only made use of the natural fresh function of silver, which has been known for centuries. Here, silver is simply available in ionic form, thus, it can be more widely used on all types of textiles or fibre materials.

Which safety does SILVERPLUS® offer?

SILVERPLUS® offers a safety pack inclusive of Oeko-Tex listing, EPA-registered active ingredient, tests and studies in well-known independent test institutes.

See also "Advantages"
Is SILVERPLUS® harmless to the environment?

Yes. The anti-bacterial silver chloride (AgCl) of SILVERPLUS® products reacts with the constantly present sulphide (hydrogen sulphide = odour of rotten eggs) to absolutely insoluble silver sulphide and is thus no longer biologically available (Ag₂S).

See also "LAUS study clarifies: SILVERPLUS® doesn‘t influence biological purging during sewage treatment"
Is SILVERPLUS® harmless to the human skin?

Yes. The recommended product application quantities of SILVERPLUS® are just enough to ensure bacteria control in textiles. In addition, the anti-bacterial effect of SILVERPLUS® products is non-migrating, i.e. they develop effects directly in the textile, but not in the environment (as on the skin).

This has been proved for SILVERPLUS® by the stringent cytotoxicity test of ITV-Denkendorf and, generally, for silver-containing finishing products by the Hohenstein institutes.

In other words: SILVERPLUS® is highly effective and safe!