The electrochemical oxidation of simulated textile wastewater was studied on iron electrodes in the presence of NaCl electrolyte in a batch electrochemical reactor. The simulated textile wastewater was prepared from industrial components based on the real mercerized and non-mercerized cotton and viscon process, being first in literature. The highest COD, color and turbidity removals were achieved as 93.9%, 99.5%, and 82.9%, respectively, at 40% pollution load, 8 V applied potential, 37.5 g/L electrolyte concentration and 30 degrees C reaction temperature. The electrochemical treatment of industrial textile wastewater was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), where applied potential and electrolyte concentration were to be minimized while COD, color and turbidity removal percents were maximized at 100% pollution load. In a specific batch run under the optimum conditions of 30 degrees C reaction temperature, 25 g/L electrolyte concentration and 8 V applied potential applied with 35.5 mA/cm(2) current density at 100% pollution load, COD, color and turbidity removals were realized as 61.6%, 99.6% and 66.4%, respectively. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.