The present invention is directed to a method for imparting antimicrobial characteristics to hydrophilic fabrics. The method involves: (1) providing a hydrophilic fabric; (2) providing a first solution comprising at least one oligodynamic metal ion, wherein the first solution is free of basic nitrogen compounds; (3) contacting the hydrophilic fabric with the first solution to allow the hydrophilic fabric to absorb metal ions from the first solution; and (4) precipitating or reducing the metal ions that have been absorbed by the fabric so that the hydrophilic fabric contains an oligodynamic metal salt or free oligodynamic metal and has antimicrobial characteristics. The invention is also directed to disposable medical cloths having antimicrobial characteristics.