The Hohenstein Quality Label “Innovative Technology” documents that a product has been extensively and independently tested with regard to both functionality and innovation potential. V-ZUG AG from Zug (Switzerland) were awarded the quality label of the Hohenstein Institute in Bönnigheim/Germany for their product Refresh Butler.
The device refreshes textiles without washing while the new technology also actively reduces microorganisms.
But on which tests is this type of certification based? To test efficiency, the experts at the renowned textile research and test institute first developed an interdisciplinary testing scheme for verifying the advertised properties of the device, such as reduction of bad odours and germs in clothing.
The sensory team, who specialise in odour analysis, applied different unpleasant odours to representative sample textiles to evaluate the efficiency of the device. One of the substances used is a special sweat odour simulant. It was specially developed at the Hohenstein Institute for applying a strong sweat odour to textiles.
Cold cigarette smoke was used in further experiments. The efficiency of the Refresh Butler was always compared to airing the textiles in fresh air over the same time period. After 2 hours of processing time in the device or airing time, the smell of the jackets, blouses, etc. had to undergo strict testing. Specially trained professional “sniffers” gave a direct and reproducible evaluation of the textiles with the help of a test device – the olfactometer.
They do not know at what point the test device offers them the strongly diluted odour sample or the neutral reference air. The sniffers trigger a signal as soon as their sensitive noses detect a bad odour. A special software combines this signal with the output parameters of the olfactometer to determine the exact odour threshold for each sample material. This allows different test samples to be compared with respect to their odour intensity in a valid and reproducible way.
Microbiological examinations determined which effect the treatment in the Refresh Butler has on bacteria. The Hohenstein experts applied a defined mixture of different bacteria to the selected sample textiles. These included germs which cause unpleasant body odour in humans. The microbiologists then compared the quantity and composition of the bacteria after the treatment in the Refresh Butler and after airing.
The extensive laboratory examinations showed that treating textiles in the Refresh Butler device is clearly superior to airing for reducing both unpleasant odours and germs. After a final comprehensive patent search and a technology evaluation, the Refresh Butler from V-ZUG AG was consequently awarded the Hohenstein Quality Label “Innovative Technology”.
