In recent years, the population explosion and environmental pollution have increased the interest of researchers in the discovery of new health and hygiene-related products for the well being of mankind. Among the possible approaches initiated by the textile industry, the use of low-environmental impact technologies- based on sustainable biopolymers- presents a novel possible avenue for large scale development of bioactive textiles. The purpose of this article is to review the information on the role of different biopolymers in the development of antimicrobial textiles. Increased sustainability, environment friendliness, reduced pollution, green chemistry, renewability and intrinsic biological activity are some of the attributes which make chitosan, cyclodextrin, sericin protein, and alginate suitable alternative agents for the functional finishing of textile materials. The application of biopolymers, along with the recent impact of various "green chemistry" strategies, on the antimicrobial properties of textile fibers is reviewed. It also includes a brief review on different green pretreatment technologies used for the surface modification of textiles with a special reference to their influence on antimicrobial properties. Finally, the advantages and future studies regarding the use of nanotechnology in the antimicrobial finishing of textiles is also outlined.