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: ##STR00001## wherein R is independently H, OH, OM, or a
unit having the formula: ##STR00002## and mixtures thereof; X is H, OH,
or OSO.sub.3M, 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%.