Cotton fabric were first subjected to quaternization (cationization) reaction using 3-chdoro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride commercially known as Quat((R))-188. Cationization was carried Out Under different conditions for optimization of the preparation of cationized cotton with different degrees of cationization, using the pad-batch method. Also, established was the optimal condition for cationization that involves Quat-188/ NaOH molar ratio 1/2 at 70 degrees C for 4 h. Besides, a thorough investigation of factors affecting reaction of these cationized cotton with citric acid (CA) or 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) was carried out with a view of improving the ease of care characteristics of non formaldehyde finishing. The dependence of fabric performance as measured by strength properties, dry wrinkle recovery angles, whiteness index, and dyeability with reactive dyes was also evaluated. It was Postulated that reaction of cationized cotton with either CA or BTCA involves estercrosslinking as well as ionic crosslinking. This, indeed, was largely positively reflected on the fabric performance especially when the properties of both uncationized cotton were compared with those of the cationized cotton. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.