Compositions and methods for treating textile substrates to obtain
superior liquid repellent properties are disclosed. Durable microscopic
surface structures imparted to the fibrous substrate allow liquids to
bead up and roll off of its surface. Mechanical abrasion or sanding
techniques may be used to create the microscopic surface structures on
the surface of a fibrous textile substrate, without substantially
breaking fibers, followed by a chemical treatment using, for example,
fluorocarbon-containing repellent compositions. Particles may be employed
in combination with repellent compositions to achieve superior repellent
properties. A property of the roughened surface fibers, the Roughness
Factor, is used to characterize the microscopic surface structures on the
treated textile surface. Treated textile substrates are disclosed which
achieve superior water and oil repellency, even after multiple abrasion
or laundering cycles.