Antiodour Testing

Choosing the right test method depends upon factors such as the type of material and the UltraZeo product you are using.

If you have questions about the methods below and which is the best suited for you and your technology, contact us to speak with a technical specialist.

What Causes Body Odour

It is a common misconception that sweat itself is body odour. In fact, human sweat is almost odourless.

Body odour occurs when bacteria and yeast on a person’s skin breaks down sweat and produce odour.

Humans have two primary types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Both can contribute to body odour.

Eccrine glands are spread across much of the body and produce sweat to help regulate temperature.  This sweat is not as strongly linked with body odor.

Apocrine glands, located mainly in the armpits and genital area, are more closely linked to body odour. These glands produce a protein-rich sweat that is initially odourless, but when broken down by bacteria, will cause body odour.

A person’s diet, sex, age, and overall health may cause a person’s body odour to change.

A person may also experience noticeable body odours in areas that are often covered by clothes, such as the feet. A combination of increased humidity and sweat trapped in the fabric can promote bacterial multiplication and activity. This can lead to body odour.  In addition, the sweat and bacteria will be transferred onto clothing.  The clothing itself may start to generate odours and those odours can be absorbed into the fabric, causing the clothing to smell.

Antiodour additives can be incorporated into materials to lessen odours caused by microorganisms.  Treated materials should be tested to ensure that the antiodour product is working properly.

 

Antiodour Tests

We offer complimentary testing using internationally recognized test methods to ensure the most optimal and highest standard in product performance.  Here is a list of some of the most common antiodour test methods: 

 

  • AATCC TM 211: Reduction of Bacterial Odor on Antibacterial-Treated Textiles.
  • ISO 17299-2: Textiles – Determination of deodorant property – Part 2: Detector tube method.

  • ISO 17299-3: Textiles – Determination of deodorant property – Part 3: Gas chromatography method.

Types of Tests

There are many different types of tests including: