# Advances in Anti-Wrinkle Finishing Agent for Natural Fabrics

## TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advancements in eco-friendly anti-wrinkle treatments for cotton and silk fabrics, aiming to improve performance and sustainability.

## Contribution

The paper highlights novel formaldehyde-free finishing agents and strategies for achieving balanced, multi-functional fabric properties.

## Key findings

- Environmentally friendly agents like carboxylated polyaldehyde sucrose and α-lipoic acid show promise for wrinkle resistance.
- Optimization methods like RSM help regulate process parameters for improved fabric performance.
- New treatments enable synchronized multi-functionality, such as combining wrinkle resistance with antibacterial and flame-retardant properties.

## Abstract

Natural fabrics such as cotton and silk have been widely used due to their excellent properties, but their tendency to wrinkle limits their value. Traditional anti-wrinkle finishing agents suffer from issues like formaldehyde release and performance imbalance. This paper reviews the advances in anti-wrinkle finishing of cotton and silk fabrics, analyzing from the perspectives of environmentally friendly finishing agents, physical properties balancing, sustainable anti-wrinkle finishing, and synchronized multi-functionality. Current research have developed various environmentally friendly formaldehyde-free finishing agents, such as carboxylated polyaldehyde sucrose and α-lipoic acid, through strategies including natural product modification and organic–inorganic hybridization. The application of these agents can enable fabrics to achieve a balance between wrinkle resistance, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and resistance to yellowing properties. Simultaneously, they also overcome the limitations of traditional processes, endow fabric with integrated application of wrinkle resistance alongside functions such as dyeing, flame retardancy, and antibacterial properties. Moreover, optimization methods such as response surface methodology (RSM) have facilitated the precise regulation of process parameters. Future research should continue to focus on greenization, high performance, and multi-functional coordination, deepen molecular design and process optimization, and provide support for the sustainable development of the textile industry.