Reduced furfural content in polyacrylic acid crosslinked cellulose fibers

A method of reducing the furfural content of polyacrylic acid crosslinked cellulosic fibers, the method comprising:

• treating the polyacrylic acid crosslinked cellulosic fibers with hydrogen peroxide alone in the absence of sodium hydroxide, in a bleaching stage subsequent to a curing stage, to polyacrylic acid crosslinked cellulosic fibers, in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 20 pounds (about 0.045 to about 9.07 kg) per ADMT of fiber and at a hydrogen peroxide pH of between about 4.5 and about 5, wherein the hydrogen peroxide is applied to the polyacrylic acid crosslinked cellulosic fibers immediately after curing to form treated crosslinked fibers,
• baling the treated crosslinked cellulosic fibers before cooling from the curing process,
• measuring the furfural content of the treated crosslinked fibers, and
• wherein the amount of furfural in the treated crosslinked fibers reduces from a first value determined at one day after the treatment of the crosslinked fibers to a second, subsequent value determined at 12 days, 14 days, or 21 days after treatment.