Textiles having a wash-durable silver-ion based antimicrobial topical treatment

A process for producing a wash durable antimicrobial treated substrate comprising

• an antimicrobial silver finish comprising compounds selected from the group consisting of silver-containing ion exchange compounds, silver-containing zeolites, silver-containing glass, and any mixtures thereof;
• and
• a substrate selected from the group consisting of a yarn, a fabric comprised of individual fibers, and a film;
• wherein said finish is present on at least one portion of the surface of said substrate;
• wherein said at least one portion of said treated substrate exhibits Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus log kill rates of at least 1.5 each in accordance with AATCC Test Method 100-1993 at an exposure of 24 hours after said substrate is washed at least 10 times in accordance with the wash procedure of AATCC Test Method 130-1981;
• said process comprising the steps of
• a) providing said substrate;
• b) providing said finish composition;
• c) applying said finish composition to at least one portion of said substrate;
• and
• d) covering said finished substrate portion with a binder formulation.