Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber comprising, chemically bonded together, (a) a conventional cellulosic fiber, such as a Kraft fiber or a chemithermomechanical pulp fiber; (b) poly(acrylate-co-itaconate), such as the acid form of a poly(acrylate-co-itaconate) comprising 90-95 mole % acrylate and 5-10 mole % itaconate having weight average molecular weight of about 600,000-900,000; and (c) a polyol, such as polyethylene glycol; also disclosed are methods for making such fibers, especially evaporatively depositing an intimate mixture of the copolymer and polyol on the fiber followed by thermally crosslinking at specific temperatures for limited periods; absorbent paper which can be made by wet-laying the fiber, especially in admixture with conventional fiber; and derivative paper structures, such as multi-ply disposable absorbent towels.

Abstract: Disclosed are textile treatment compositions comprising a quaternized di-substituted imidazoline ester fabric softening compound, a nonionic fabric softening compound, and a liquid carrier. The textile treatment compositions of the present invention possess desirable storage-stability, viscosity, and fabric-conditioning properties. The compositions may be in the form of aqueous dispersions or solid compositions releasably affixed to a solid carrier.