Hydroxyethyl methacrylate was grafted onto woolen fabrics by microwave irradiation in the presence of catalyst (NH4)(2)S2O8. Various parameters of the graft copolymerization reaction, namely, time, microwave intensity, catalyst, and monomer concentration, were optimized. The graft copolymerization was also compared with conventional heating graft copolymerization at the same condition. Microwave irradiation was shown to improve the reactivity of the monomer. The moisture regain decreased as graft add-on increased. The Max load and the strain at Max load increased as graft add-on increased. The infrared spectra showed an additional peak at 1700 cm(-1), confirming ester carbonyl groups of the monomer.