Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for the finishing of textiles with a non formaldehyde cross-linking agent based on 2-imidazolidinones wherein by certain process parameters in drying and curing the undesired yellowing and unpleasant amine smell is avoided.

Abstract: Process for finishing a cellulose-based textile according to which the textile is treated using an aqueous finishing bath containing the following cross-linking composition as a cross-linking agent for cellulose: a) 15-95 molar % of at least one maleic acid and hypophosphorus acid telomer of formula (I)  with  and (m+n)≧3  or A=H or OH and n≧2 b) 0-50 molar % phosphinicosuccinic acid c) 0-40 molar % of phosphinicobissuccinic acid d) 0-50 molar % phosphonosuccinic acid e) 0-15 molar % hypophosphorus acid f) 0-10 molar % phosphorus acid g) 0-15 molar % phosphoric acid each of the acids a) to g) of the composition being able to be present either in free form or partially or totally neutralized in the form of an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal ammonium or amine salt and finishing bath.