DP finishes using citric and tartaric acid with methyl hydrogen silicone

Citric acid finishes were modified with additives that improve both the per formance and whiteness imparted by th is durable press (DP) reagent. The ra te and extent of the improvement in whiteness of treated cotton depended on the additives used and whether or not a process rinse was applied. Under t he most favorable conditions, final whiteness index values were virtually i dentical to those of untreated fabric. Tartaric acid was used as a coreacti ve additive at mole ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 with citric acid. Formation of a cellulose-reactive 1:1 alternating copolymer in situ in the cotton fibers m ay account for higher DP appearance ratings and increased wrinkle recovery angles imparted with the 1:1 mole ratio. Use of methyl hydrogen silicone as fabric softener in such mixed finishes led to higher DP performance, great er wrinkle resistance, and higher final whiteness index than did low densit y polyethylene.