Reduced Formaldehyde Release in Durable-Press Finishing of Cotton Textiles

Abstract

Carbohydrazide, used with the N-methylol reagents commonly employed in durable-press (DP) finishing of cotton, considerably reduced formaldehyde release normally associated with fabrics treated with these agents. The DP reagents investigated were dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea, dimethylolethyleneurea, and N-methylolated alkyl carbamates. When carbohydrazide was incorporated with the DP finishing system in treating reactive-dyed cotton fabric, color fastness was also improved. A striking improvement in depth of dye shade resulted when this chemical was applied with the DP finish before the textile was acid dyed.