Lipases to Improve the Performance of Formaldehyde‐Free Durable Press Finished Cotton Fabrics

Lipases were used to restore partially the strength losses of cotton fabrics crosslinked with 1,2,3,4‐butanetetracarboxylic acid. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the ester linkages at low temperature and neutral pH resulted in 10% strength recovery, coupled with a slight deterioration of the crease‐resistance effect. The conventional alkaline hydrolysis provided higher strength recovery, however provoked considerable change in the durable press performance of the fabrics.