Many of you have emailed me to ask about Nano-TexTM finish and the advantage of having it applied to your fabrics. For the past few years we have all heard the word “nanotechnology” but were not sure what it means or how it applies to the home furnishings industry. Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic or molecular scale. This type of technology can be found in many different products, and it has made its way into our world of textiles.

Okay, that being said, what does it mean for all of us? In simple terms, when the Nano-TexTM finish is applied to fabric through an immersion process, it bonds at the molecular level and adheres to the fibers of the fabric, becoming part of it. Other products that claim certain levels of protection for fabrics are either topical or they encase the fabric in a thick layer of chemicals.

Topical finishes can wear off or eventually be wiped away, chemical finishes can give the fabric a stiff, almost cardboard-like finish, but Nano-TexTM lasts the lifetime of the fabric. It can not be seen or felt,and therefore it does not change the look or hand of a fabric and the natural beauty and feel are preserved. So, what is the added value of having a Nano-TexTM finish applied to your fabrics? The surface of the textile is permanently protected from stains. Spills stop, bead and roll off,preventing the stain from absorbing into the fabric. There are many other household products that use this technology. Did you ever spill a glass of water on your table cloth and see the liquid bead up? This is the same finish but now it can be applied to decorative fabrics of almost any type.

This means you can use light colors, even pure white, in a family room, dining room, child’s room or any other high traffic area without worrying what it will look like after a few months. Nano-TexTM provides permanent stain protection for the life of your fabric while increasing surface durability and maintaining its breathability and comfort. Stains like oil, red wine, hot coffee and chocolate milk are repelled and easily cleaned.

I hope I have answered your question and that you’ll keep Nano-TexTM in mind when planning future interior design projects. When you are working with a client that entertains a lot, talk about this finish. Once you let them know that they no longer only have to serve white wine to their guests the sale will be made!

Alice Guercio, Vice President of Product Coordination and a Kravet veteran for more than 15 years, travels the world to source and develop new product for Kravet. She is one of our top experts on textiles. If you have a question about fabric for Alice, email her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and your question may become the subject of a future article.