Abstract: A cellulosic fabric is treated with a crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of: an adduct from an amide and glyoxal, an acetal derived from a dialdehyde and an aldehyde other than formaldehyde and an acidic catalyst. The catalyst and crosslinking agent is of sufficient amount and concentration to impregnate the fabric and produce wrinkle-resistance and smooth-drying finishes when dried from about 3-10 minutes at from about 60.degree.-100.degree. C. and then cured from about 1-5 minutes at from about 120.degree.-180.degree. C. The resultant fabric is then dyed.

Abstract: A finishing agent for fabrics containing cellulose that is free of formaldehyde is prepared from equimolar amounts of methyl carbamate and glutaraldehyde. The reaction product, although unstable in dilute aqueous solution, can be applied to fabric from concentrated aqueous solution or can be methylated for application from dilute solution. Fabric is given wrinkle-resistance and durable-press properties with no release of formaldehyde from the agent or from the treated fabric.

Abstract: Cotton, or other fabric containing cellulose, is treated with acrylamide and a chemical initiator that promotes reaction of acrylamide with cellulose. The fabric, with bound acrylamide, is then treated with glyoxal and an acidic, metal salt catalyst to produce a fabric containing crosslinked cellulose. Thus, the fabric is given wrinkle resistance and durable-press properties by the treatment without using formaldehyde, free or combined, that could be released during treatment or from the treated fabric.

Abstract: New compounds in the class of .alpha.,.omega.-bis(4,5-dihydroxy-3-methyl-2-oxoimidazolidin-1-yl)alkanes have been prepared from the reaction of glyoxal and an alkylenebis(3-methylurea). These compounds are useful as formaldehyde-free finishing agents for textiles containing cellulose.

Abstract: Knitted cotton fabrics in tubular form are impregnated to 20 to 35% wet add-on of crosslinking agent by any of several techniques including sprinkling, spraying, printing, or slop padding the solution of crosslinking agent to the outer surfaces of the fabric tube, or transferring the solution of crosslinking agent from impregnated material to the outer surfaces of the fabric tube, followed by a mechanical agitation step wherein the impregnated tubes are mechanically agitated at elevated temperatures under closed conditions, thereby eliminating agent migration toward fabric surfaces during drying of the cotton containing knitted fabrics in chemical treatments for smooth-drying properties and dimensional stabilization.