We used three kinds of alkyl diallyl ammonium salts (methyl, ethyl, and propyl) in combination with dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) as crosslinking agents. The nitrogen content, dry crease recovery angle (DCRA), moisture regain, and wicking height for the DM-DHEU/alkyl diallyl ammonium salts were in the order of -CH3 > -C2H5 > -C3H7, but the wet crease recovery angle (WCRA) and tensile strength retention (TSR) were in the opposite order at the same resin concentration. For the same DCRA and TSR, the WCRA values for only DMDHEU were lower than those for DMDHEU/alkyl diallyl ammonium salts, and the WCRA values for DMDHEU/alkyl diallyl ammonium salts were in the order of -C3H7 > -C2H5 > -CH3. Both the -OH group of the cellulose and DMDHEU could react with the vinyl or epoxy groups of the alkyl diallyl ammonium salts during the pad-dry-cure process. The surface migration for DMDHEU/alkyl diallyl ammonium salts was in the order of -CH3 > -C2H5 > -CH7. Fabrics treated with DMDHEU/alkyl diallyl ammonium salts showed good antibacterial properties. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.