Launderable activated cotton

A method for treating cotton, comprising, without using surfactants:

• treating the cotton with soda ash at a temperature of less than about 150° F. (about 66° C.) and a pH of about 9.5;
• adding glyceryl triacetate to the soda ash and cotton;
• bleaching the cotton with hydrogen peroxide and arylesterase at a temperature of less than about 150° F. (about 66° C.);
• neutralizing the hydrogen peroxide;
• and
• lowering the pH with an acid to between about 6 and about 7, wherein the cotton retains a burst strength of 15.9% higher than a cotton sample treated using an NaOH solution at a pH of 12.5.