Studies on the bacterial permeability of non-woven fabrics and cotton fabrics

The permeability of cotton and non-woven fabrics to bacteria, air and water was studied. Non-woven fabrics, even when wet, showed low resistance to air, and high resistance to permeation of water and bacteria. Water-repellent cotton fabrics were resistant to permeation of water, air and bacteria, but these properties decreased on washing. Non-water-repellent cotton fabrics were poor bacterial barriers even when new.