A self-decontaminating fabric is manufactured from fibers such as Tencel having high surface energy and low surface roughness. Novel scouring methods eliminate substantially all contaminants from the fibers, and a novel coating process applies an anti-pathogen coating such as a halogen compound to the fabric so as to provide rapid deactivation of pathogens on contact. Novel charging methods activate or reactivate the coating, typically by exposure to chlorine. The coating is substantially free of gap regions where pathogens can survive. The high surface energy of the fibers allows a high coating concentration and provides close contact between attached pathogens and the coating. The low surface roughness reduces the pickup of pathogens by the fibers. Multi-layer embodiments include an outer layer configured for maximum anti-pathogen coating concentration, and an inner layer configured for a reduced coating concentration that is compatible with skin contact.
