POLYSACCHARIDE ALDEHYDES AND ACETALS AS PERMANENT PRESS AGENTS FOR TEXTILES

摘要

A method for imparting permanent press properties to a textile containing cellulose fibers. The method involves applying an aqueous solution of a polysaccharide aldehyde and/or acetal at a pH of 1 to 8 to a textile, and heating the textile at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to react the polysaccharide aldehyde and/or acetal with the textile wherein water is removed from the textile, to impart permanent press properties to the textile. The method of the present invention provides permanent press properties to textiles treated therewith and increases the resistance of such textiles to future laundering abrasion. Such treated textiles display a significant reduction in wrinkles compared with nontreated textiles. Moreover, the treated textiles have a tactile sensation of feeling soft and retain their smoothness after laundering.