The whitening efficiency of regenerated cellulose fibers using sodium 4,4'-distyrylbiphenyl sulfonate in the presence of an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecylsulfate) and a cationic surfactant (dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) and salt (NaCl) was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy and color index values (brightness, whiteness, and yellowness). Epifluorescence images gave an intense blue color with an apparent uniform emission distribution. In absence of salt, the whitening efficiency was higher for aqueous solutions containing cationic surfactant below critical micellar concentration (cmc). In presence of salt, whitening efficiency was higher for anionic surfactant and more important. The concentration of surfactant required for greater brightness, whiteness, and yellowness was lower than that required in absence of salt. These data were discussed by the decrease of the cmc and by the screening of the modified cellulose fibers by counter ions coming from the salt. The role of surfactants was explained by the admicelization during the sorption process. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012