A cleaner home: How antimicrobial technology works in everyday products

From kitchen counters to laundry machines, antimicrobial technology is quietly working behind the scenes in products you already use and trust. This article uncovers where it’s built in, why it matters, and how it helps everyday items stay cleaner, fresher, and built to last.

What is Antimicrobial Technology?

Antimicrobial technology refers to additives that help prevent the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, mold, and mildew on treated product surfaces. It’s added during product manufacturing, so the built-in surface protection becomes part of the product.

Why built-in antimicrobial product protection matters

Whether you're shopping for outdoor gear, easy-to-clean kitchenware, or durable personal accessories, product cleanliness and lifespan matter. Microban technology helps keep high-use items fresher and cleaner for longer between uses, which is ideal for today’s busy lifestyles.

Key benefits of Microban antimicrobial technology

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Protects against stains, odors, and surface degradation caused by degrading microorganisms

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Surfaces stay cleaner between cleanings

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Extends product durability and useful life

Real-world uses: How Microban® makes a difference

Built-in antimicrobial product protection isn’t just for hospitals or industrial environments. It’s already in some of the products you use daily—you may not know it.

Mbns25 Microban Blog Cleaner Home Kitchen surfaces2

Classic Marble Company l Kitchen counters and surfaces

Every crumb, spill, and wipe-down leaves behind more than you think. Kitchen counters are command central, where groceries are unpacked, lunches are made, and the morning coffee gets spilled. But between the hustle, your counters are also high-traffic landing zones for bacteria and moisture. With Microban® antimicrobial protection built in, surfaces resist microbial buildup even in the hours and days between cleanings, helping your counters stay cleaner and fresher, longer.

Mbns25 Microban Blog Cleaner Home Kwikset Door handle

KWIKSET l Door handles

How many times a day do your hands touch door knobs before wiping them down? Every touch from the bathroom to the front door leaves microscopic traces of whatever you’ve picked up along the way. These high-contact zones rarely get cleaned as often as they should. With Microban surface protection integrated into the hardware, these everyday touchpoints get an invisible layer of defense against the growth of bacteria between cleanings.

Mbns25 Microban Blog Cleaner Home Cellularline Phone Cases

Cellularline l Phone cases

Your phone is with you everywhere: in the car, at the gym, on the kitchen counter, and yes, even in the bathroom. The case that protects it? It collects everything. Sweat, grease, oils, and all kinds of microscopic grime. You rarely clean it, but you touch it constantly. With Microban antimicrobial technology built in, phone cases get a powerful layer of surface protection that helps reduce the growth of bacteria that can cause odors and surface deterioration.

Mbns25 Microban Blog Cleaner Home Felli Food storage

Pyrex l Meal-prep storage and containers

Every slice of raw chicken, every handful of spinach, every rinse that doesn’t quite reach the corners, your cutting boards and food storage containers take a beating. And while you may wash them regularly, they’re constantly exposed to moisture and food residue that can lead to microbial growth between uses. Microban protection built-in during manufacturing adds an extra layer of product cleanliness, helping to keep these surfaces fresher and more resistant to unseen buildup between washes.

Mbns25 Microban Blog Cleaner Home GE Washing Machine

GE Appliances l Washing machines

Ironically, where you wash your clothes is one of the dirtiest spots in your home. Front-load washing machine gaskets and detergent drawers are warm, moist, and constantly exposed to leftover soap and grime: the perfect storm for microbial growth. The result? Musty smells, visible buildup, and clothes that don’t smell clean. Microban antimicrobial technology built into these areas helps reduce the growth of odor-causing microbes, keeping your washer (and your laundry) feeling fresher with every cycle.

How Microban® antimicrobial protection works

Microban technology is integrated into products at manufacturing, meaning it never washes off or wears away. It activates when microorganisms come into contact with the treated product surface, working to disrupt their ability to grow and reproduce.

FAQs: Antimicrobial Technology, Debunked

Does it kill germs?

No. Microban technologies inhibit the growth of degrading microorganisms on the product surface. 

Can I stop cleaning my products?

No. Microban built-in protection complements cleaning, it doesn’t replace it.

Is Microban product protection a disinfectant spray?

Microban product protection refers to Microban antimicrobial technologies integrated into the product during manufacturing. This is not the same as a disinfectant spray.

Will Microban product protection protect me from getting sick?

No. Microban technologies protect the treated products, not the person using them.

Pro Tips: Getting the most from antimicrobial products

Microban Protected Badge 2020

When you’re browsing online or scanning store shelves, look for mention of Microban or the Microban “protected” badge. It’s your signal that the product includes trusted, built-in antimicrobial technology. You’ll find it on packaging, product pages, and labels across various everyday essentials.

Once you’ve brought it home, follow these simple tips to keep everything performing at its best:

✔ Keep up your usual cleaning routine. Microban is an added layer of surface protection, not a cleaning replacement
✔ Choose high-quality, durable items that feature 24/7 antimicrobial product protection
✔ Shop from trusted brands that incorporate Microban technology into their materials

Explore our brand partners to discover where our technology is built in.