| What it is | Textile odor-control technology |
| How | Inhibits odor-causing bacteria |
| Based on | Recycled silver salts (+ bio-based options) |
| Benefit | Wear longer, wash less |
Polygiene is an odor-control technology applied to textiles that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria so garments stay fresh and can be worn longer and washed less. Traditionally based on recycled silver salts (with newer bio-based options), it’s widely used in synthetic base layers and activewear to counter the odor retention synthetics are prone to.
Stay fresh longer
An odor treatment alongside HeiQ Fresh, giving synthetics some of the natural freshness of merino wool.
Frequently asked questions
What is Polygiene?
Polygiene is a treatment added to fabrics to control odor by stopping the growth of the bacteria that cause it. Because the smell never builds up, treated garments stay fresh longer, so you can wear them more between washes — which also saves water and energy and extends garment life.
How does Polygiene work?
Its classic technology uses low concentrations of recycled silver salts, which inhibit odor-causing bacteria on the fabric; the company also offers newer bio-based odor control. The treatment targets odor at the source rather than masking it, keeping activewear and base layers from developing persistent smells.
Polygiene vs merino for odor?
Merino wool resists odor naturally, while Polygiene adds odor resistance to synthetic fabrics that would otherwise smell quickly. The benefit of Polygiene-treated synthetics is that you get fast drying and durability plus odor control, narrowing the gap with merino's inherent freshness for multi-day trips.
Sources
- Polygiene technology — Polygiene
- Odor management — The Mountaineers