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Alta™ FAQ Download
frequently asked questions
Have questions? Many answers may be located in our FAQs, if you have any trouble finding an answer feel free to contact us.
Alta™
Environmental Impact / Health
Cleaning Alta Treated Fabrics
Fire Codes
Fabric Suitability & Requirements
Durablock®/ Liquid Barrier / Moisture Barrier
Antimicrobial
Alta™
What is Alta™?
Alta™ is the latest water-based high-performance technology that repels both water & oil-based stains. It is the only technology that is engineered to provide the correct level of protection for each application (environment) that it is specified to include fire code compliance. Launched in 2015, Applied Textiles has processed well over 1.5 million yards with Alta™ to date.
Is Alta™ permanent?
Yes, the Alta™ technology is bonded permanently to the individual fibers with a covalent bond, it will not wear off or wash off. Alta™ is durable to spot cleaning, commercial laundering, and dry cleaning.
How is Alta™ different?
• Alta™ is designed for each application ensuring the correct level of performance and fire code compliance.
• Alta™ uses more water and less chemistry than competitors and provides exceptional repellency performance to water and oil-based stains.
• Alta™ improves abrasion, pilling, seam strength, and fraying for upholstery.
• Alta™ is designed to permanently bond to natural and cellulosic fibers.
• Alta™ extends the life of the fabric, lowering landfill utilization.
• Alta™ obsoletes the need for FR topical treatments
• Alta™ improves cleanability, eliminating the need for harsh cleaning agents.
What is the difference between Alta™ and generic stain finishes?
Most generic stain finishes are topical, temporary, and will wash or wear off. Alta™ is bonded permanently to the fiber and will last the life of the fabric. Unbranded soil and stain can often make fabrics burn, Alta™ does just the opposite making fabrics meet the correct fire code. Unbranded soil and stain finishes do not make any claims to efficacy while Alta™ displays each level of benefit. Our competitors’ technologies are designed to provide the same level of performance on fabric no matter the end environment, which leads to over-engineering fabrics, higher cost, and fabrics underperforming based on the demand of the environment.
Environmental Impact / Health
Is Alta™ environmentally friendly?
Yes, Alta™ meets CAL Prop 65, the EPA, and the European Union’s REACH standards for safe chemistries. Alta™ is water-based and uses less chemistry than competitor products. Alta™ does not contain PFOS, PFOA, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), heavy metals, formaldehyde, or phthalates. Visit the Environmental page for more.
Is Alta™ bad for my health?
No, Alta™ is not toxic to humans or the environment. In fact, coffee is more toxic than Alta™.
• Alta™ will not bio-absorb
• Alta™ is non-carcinogenic
• Alta™ does not bio-accumulate
• Alta™ is not bio-persistent
• Free of any solvents, VOCs, PFOA, PFOS, Formaldehyde, Heavy Metals or Phthalates
...more...
• Non bio-accumulative
• Rapid Bio-elimination
• Low acute toxicity
• Not a selective developmental or reproductive toxicant
• Not damaging to DNA, non-genotoxic and non-mutagenic
• Complies with EPA, CAL Prop 65 and REACH standards
• Does not migrate or “off-gas.”
Cleaning Alta Treated Fabrics
How do I clean a fabric that has been treated with Alta™?
Alta™ technology enhances the cleanability of fabrics and reduces the need for harsh chemical cleaners. Clean-up is a breeze: Liquid spills can be immediately removed with a dry cloth. Oily stains might require an additional rinse with clean, warm water. At most, you might need a diluted solution of water and dish soap to lift any stubborn stains. With every spill and cleaning, the technology remains bonded to the fibers of the fabric offering undetectable stain repellency for the life of the fabric. Alta™ cleaning instructions available.
Can you treat a bleach cleanable fabric with Alta™?
Yes, Alta™ will not affect the properties of a bleach-cleanable fabric.
Has Alta™ been tested with healthcare cleaners?
Yes, healthcare environments use three families of cleaners: quaternary cleaners, bleach cleaners, and peroxide. Alta™ has been tested and is durable for all of these types of cleaners. See the Alta™ list of approved cleaners.
Fire Codes
Does Alta™ meet fire codes for various applications?
Yes, Alta™ is designed to meet the fire codes as long the fabric is suitable for commercial applications. For example, a fabric with a content of 100% cotton may not be appropriate for drapery in a commercial environment (dimensional instability and sagging concerns) and may not pass the NFPA 701 fire code. Consult with your account manager to determine suitability.
Fabric Suitability & Requirements
What if a fabric already has a finish on it. Can I add Alta™?
Yes, Alta™ can be applied over all finishes. Alta™ provides these fabrics with a more durable and permanent repellent to water and oil-based stains.
Are there any fibers you cannot treat with Alta™?
We can process 98% of all textiles, but in order to do so, we need to know the fiber content of the fabric. We will not run an order without knowing the fiber content. If you should have a question about a specific fabric or fiber content, please contact your account manager or call the Alta™ Hotline at 866.891.6266 and we will review your fabric specification with you.
Can you treat coated fabrics?
Presently, we cannot treat vinyl, polyurethanes, or leathers with Alta™.
What is the minimum yardage needed to treat with Alta™?
We ask for 5 yards to maintain pattern and weave alignment. Special accommodation can be made by contacting your account manager.
Can Applied Textiles work with wide width fabrics?
Yes, we can handle fabrics from 25” to 155” wide. Please contact your account manager or see Locations & Capabilities for width capabilities by facility.
Durablock®/ Liquid Barrier / Moisture Barrier
Since Alta provides repellency, why do I need a liquid barrier?
Liquid barriers are critical to keeping high-use areas clean and to keep stains from being pushed below the surface of the fabric and into the cushion. We would suggest using liquid barriers for food and beverage areas, healthcare and senior living environments, and other areas where constant cleaning is required. Our proprietary liquid barrier is called DuraBlock® and is very durable to cleaners including bleach and other healthcare cleaners.
Can DuraBlock® be used for upholstered cushions?
Yes. Please note; DuraBlock® allows for water vapor transfer but is not air permeable; fully upholstered cushions with DuraBlock® will require venting (a zipper is an adequate vent).
Antimicrobial
What is the antimicrobial used in Alta™ applications?
We add a durable antimicrobial that is effective against not only bacteria and microbes but also effective against mold, mildew, and fungi.
Our Antimicrobial technology is zinc-based chemistry, is non-ionic, and highly compatible with the repellency properties of Alta™.
• Non-leaching & Environmentally safe
• Can achieve >99.9% bacterial reduction
• Effective against bacteria, fungi, mold, and mildew
• Able to withstand 70 industrial launderings
How durable is the antimicrobial in Alta™?
The Alta™ antimicrobial technology has been tested to over 75 healthcare launderings with a 99.5% efficacy rate.
Can Alta™ be specified without antimicrobial?
Yes, any Alta™ application that includes antimicrobial can be specified without it if the client prefers not to have it included.
See more Antimicrobial Info
Click here for the antimicrobial page. Click here for the antimicrobial fact sheet.
get in touch with us
Interested in Applied Textiles or have questions for us? We welcome your feedback.