Nonformaldehyde durable press finishing of cotton fabrics using the combination of maleic acid and sodium hypophosphite

► The combination of maleic acid with NaH2PO2 was investigated as the nonformaldehyde finishing system for cotton fabrics. ► Fabrics' wrinkle recovery angle and phosphorus content showed similar dependency on curing temperatures. ► NaH2PO2 is added to the >CC< of the MA bound to cotton to form crosslinking. ► The MA-treated cotton fabric showed high durable press performance with improved strength properties.