FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

No. GreenShield products are nanoparticle-based chemical finishes for fabrics.

Yes. The nanoparticles used in GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO are of a size considered safe using both European and Californian health and environmental standards. Additionally, the meshed coating formed by these nanoparticles prevents individual nanoparticles from detaching from their bound fibers. Destruction of a fabric would release only large, stable chunks of benign coating.

The GreenShield finishes are made in Rochester, New York, from raw materials also made in the USA.

GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO are suitable for all fabrics, with a preference for artificial fibers. The GreenShield finishes can go on any fabric that can safely pass through the curing process at temperatures in excess of 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Natural fibers can see equal performance, but may require a higher concentration of GreenShield to compensate for the lower affinity.

No. The price of GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO is similar to (if not less than) other commercial fabric finishes.

Please visit our Partners & Get GreenShield pages.

No. GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO are finishes applied to products that are sold through distributors, manufacturers, and other industrial and/or retail distribution channels. If you are a private consumer who would like GreenShield used in a household project, please request the GreenShield brand when ordering the fabric for your project.

The GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO finishes are applied to fabric using standard industry processes; this patented finish is chemically bound to the fiber of the fabric. The finish is expected to last through the life of the fabric, assuming normal wear and tear.

GreenShield finishes may be applied to fabrics via padding, foaming, and most other standard application methods.

Yes and no. The GreenShield finishes themselves have no antibiotic, antifungal, or otherwise microbe destroying properties. Instead, their exceptional stain and water resistance prevents fabrics from holding on to fluids necessary for the survival and growth of bacterial and fungal colonies.

Yes. Fabric treated with GreenShield or Greenshield ZERO is rated as W/S, so it is resistant to water and solvents. Most stains can be easily cleaned with light brushing and/or water or non-solvent based cleaners. If a GreenShield coated fabric is to be machine washed, we recommend a natural soap-based cleaning product, or one containing borax.

Only on certain fiber types; such as solution dyed nylon, solution dyed polyester, solution dyed polypropylene and solution dyed acrylic.

No. Neither GreenShield nor GreenShield ZERO normally has a barrier backing. However, a backing can be applied as a separate process if desired.

Yes. The GreenShield finish does not affect a fabric's ability to be recycled.

The GreenShield finish is certified through Scientific Certification System (SCS); one can obtain LEED points by using the GreenShield finish on a textile product. The GreenShield ZERO finish can contribute to the LEED healthcare credit for furniture and medical furnishings.

No. GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO treated fabrics have no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), nor do the finishes used to treat them. The GreenShield treated fabrics have been certified through SCS to be in compliance with indoor air quality standard CA 01350.

No. GreenShield finishes do not use formaldehyde.

No. Due to the significantly reduced chemistry, the GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO finishes show improved colorfastness relative to other treated fabrics.

No. However, due to the curing temperature exceeding 250 degrees Fahrenheit, some fabrics may require dimensional stabilizers when being treated with GreenShield or GreenShield ZERO.

Yes. Nanoparticle-based GreenShield finishes do not change a fabric’s breathability.

Crypton is an engineered textile with specific fiber and construction requirements that are treated through an immersion process that have a polymer-based stain repellent finish on the face of the fabric and a moisture barrier on the back of the fabric. GreenShield is a low fluorocarbon nanoparticle-based water and stain repellent finish applied to a fabric, protecting each individual fiber. GreenShield ZERO is a Fluorine Free that offers protection from water-based spills.

The Nanotex finish is a fluoropolymer-based finish that provides water and stain resistance to a fabric, while the GreenShield finish is an inorganic nanoparticle-based multifunctional finish that provides equivalent water and stain repellency with 7-10 times less fluorine.