In this work, the durability of chitosan functionalization of cellulosic textile substrates, cotton and cotton/polyester blended fabrics, was studied. Chitosan is a naturally occurring biopolymer that can be produced inexpensively. It should be dissolved in an acidic solution to activate its antimicrobial and other properties, i.e., good biocompatibility, bioabsorbability, wound healing, hemostatic, anti-infective, antibacterial, non-toxic, and adsorptive properties. The application of chitosan to textile products has been researched to achieve antimicrobial properties, but the durability, after several maintenance cycles, has not. Chitosan functionalization was carried out using maleic acid (MA) and 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) as crosslinking and chitosan-activating agents and sodium hypophosphite monohydrate as a catalyst. To determine durability, the fabrics were subjected to 10 maintenance cycles according to ISO 6330:2012 using Reference detergent 3 and drying according to Procedure F. The properties were monitored after the 3rd and 10th cycles. The crosslinking ability of chitosan with cellulosic fabrics was monitored by Fourier infrared spectrometry using the ATR technique (FTIR-ATR). Changes in mechanical properties, whiteness and yellowing, and antimicrobial properties were determined using standard methods. Compared to maleic acid, BTCA proved to be a better crosslinking agent for chitosan.

Textile dust released from hospital textiles is a considerable food source for pathogenic microorganisms and can lead to infections and illness in patients and medical staff. In addition, it often causes malfunctions in sophisticated medical equipment. The structural parameters of the fabric, such as the raw material composition, the thread density and the fabric weave, can influence the amount of dust produced. Friction between threads in a woven fabric plays a crucial role in dust generation, and friction is influenced by the surface structure of fibres, yarns and fabric. Understanding these factors can help in the development of fabrics with lower release of textile dust, which can reduce the risk of spreading infections in healthcare facilities. In this paper, the influence of the washing cycle on the change in morphological properties of fabrics in satin weave made of cotton–polyester blends was investigated. The study showed that as the number of maintenance washing cycles increases, the waviness, roughness and average amplitude of the surface roughness profile of the wove fabrics increases. Damage to the fibres during washing results in dust release, with synthetic fibres releasing less dust than cotton fibres. These results provide important information about the change in fabric properties during the washing process, which may be useful for further research and development of materials for use in a hospital environment.

Textiles are often used as a medium for the application of active substances through various processes to achieve antimicrobial and wellness properties for medical and cosmetic purposes. The unique structure of β-cyclodextrins, which enables the formation of inclusion complexes, has led to significant commercial applications in areas such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and the textile industry. A key advantage of β-cyclodextrins is their environmental friendliness — they are biodegradable, non-toxic, and do not pollute wastewater systems. This study investigated the formation of inclusion complexes between β-cyclodextrin and tea tree essential oil and their binding to cotton/polyester fabrics by in situ hydrothermal synthesis. Part of the treated fabrics was subjected to a care procedure according to ISO 6330:2012, using the 6330 6N programme and the standard ECE detergent (WFK 88030) to evaluate the durability of the treatment. Changes at the physico-chemical level before and after washing were analysed using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, while absorption and antimicrobial properties were tested on untreated, treated, and washed treated fabrics, taking into account their intended use in hospital environments. The results indicate effective binding of the βcyclodextrin tea tree oil inclusion complex to the cotton/polyester fabric by in situ hydrothermal synthesis, with the treatment being remarkably durable after laundering. These results emphasise the potential for further research to develop functional, highperformance advanced textiles for use in medical fields.

Surface roughness of woven fabrics plays a key role in tactile comfort and skin–textile interaction, particularly in medical applications involving prolonged contact with human skin. This study focuses on the surface roughness of woven fabrics in plain and twill (1/3 S) weaves intended for hospital bed sheets and bedding applications. Plain weave represents a structurally symmetric system, while twill weave exhibits a pronounced diagonal structure. Roughness was evaluated using the Fabric Touch Tester (FTT) and further analyzed through amplitude (Rq), height distribution (Rku), and frequency-related parameters (linear peak density) obtained by signal processing and peak analysis in OriginPro 2026. The results showed that weave structure is the dominant factor influencing surface topography. Plain weave fabrics exhibited higher amplitude roughness and more uniform height distribution, while twill fabrics showed lower global roughness but stronger directional dependence, particularly in diagonal directions. Linear peak density was not significantly affected by laundering cycles, fiber composition, or finishing, but was strongly dependent on weave type. The findings demonstrate that due to the orthotropic nature of woven fabrics, surface roughness, derived from surface topography, cannot be adequately described by a single parameter, and that a combined analysis of amplitude and spatial descriptors is required, with the surface being evaluated not only along the principal symmetry directions (warp and weft) but also in off-axis directions. These results provide valuable insight for the design of hospital textiles with improved tactile comfort and reduced risk of skin irritation.