Cotton fabric was modified with polycarboxylic acids in combination with so
dium hypophosphite as a catalyst to impart durable press properties to cell
ulosic material. The ester linkages built are resistant to multiple home la
underings. The amount of BTCA, CA, aconitic acid, citraconic acid, and itac
onic acid extracted from the treated cotton fabric as a function of washing
time and washing agent was investigated. It was found that the commercial
detergent showed the greatest impact. Furthermore, the influence of various
aliphatic and aromatic multifunctional carboxylic acids on the durable pre
ss properties was studied.