A method for forming an antimicrobially-treated fabric is provided. The method includes forming a solution from a liquid and an antimicrobial agent, such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride. In one embodiment, a cellulosic fibrous material is combined with the solution while in the pulper to form a liquid suspension such that the antimicrobial agent becomes substantive to the cellulosic fibrous material. A web is formed from the antimicrobially-treated cellulosic fibrous material such that substantially all of the cellulosic fibrous material present within the web is derived from the antimicrobially-treated cellulosic fibrous material. In one embodiment, the web of antimicrobially-treated fibrous material is also hydraulically entangled with a nonwoven substrate. In some embodiments, when dried, the antimicrobial agent forms a covalent bond with the cellulosic fibrous material.
