Method for improving the water absorption of polyester fibers

A process for improving the water absorbency of polyester fibers which comprises contacting said polyester fibers with an aqueous solution of a hydroxyamine selected from the group consisting of monohydroxyamines, dihydroxyamines, and trihydroxyamines and mixtures thereof and having a pH of at least 7.0, while at a temperature in excess of the boiling point of water and below the temperature at which the properties of the fiber are deleteriously influenced and at a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure.

A process for improving the water absorbency of a fabric comprising polyester fibers containing 85 to 100 mole percent polyethylene terephthalate and 0 to 15 mole percent of copolymerized ester units other than the polyethylene terephthalate which comprises contacting said fabric with an aqueous solution of a hydroxyamine selected from the group consisting of monohydroxyamines, dihydroxyamines, and trihydroxyamines and mixtures thereof and having a pH of at least 7.0, by immersing said fabric in said aqueous solution at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to about 140.degree. C.