Formaldehyde-free durable press finished textiles having cross-linked
polymaleate finishes are provided. The finish comprises a cross-linked polymaleate
having a crosslinked adjunct selected from the group having the formula:
##STR1##
wherein R is independently H, OH, OM, or a unit having the formula:
##STR2##
and mixtures thereof; X is H, OH, or OSO3M, M is H, a salt forming
cation, and mixtures thereof; the indices x, y, and z are each independently from
0 to about 7; x+z is greater than or equal to 1, Q is H, OH, OM but not H when
both x and z are greater than or equal to 1 and the textile has a durable press
rating of at least about 3.0 and a tensile strength retention of greater than 40%.