Even after washing, textiles can retain unpleasant odors, the metabolic byproducts of bacteria that survive the laundry cycle. SANITIZED AG of Basel, Switzerland, developed a new technology, Sanitized® Pluma, to coat textiles with a special polymer that retains a thin film of water on the surface of the material. The film prevents bacteria from docking on textile fibers; existing bacteria can be rinsed away, even during hand- or low-temperature washing. SANITIZED AG’s new treatment, which saves energy and water and extends the life of textiles, was honored by the Swiss Economic Forum with the Swiss Technology Award, the leading prize in Swiss technology. Products treated with Sanitized carry a diamond-shaped tag, found on fabric apparel manufactured by Levi Strauss & Co., Marks & Spencer and Carhartt, among others. Read more at SANITIZED AG.