Method for improving the bleach resistance of dyed textile fiber and product made thereby

A method for treating a dyed polyamide or polyester textile fiber to improve its bleach resistance, consisting essentially of the steps of:

• (a) applying an aqueous solution of a compound of the formula:
• ##STR4## R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of H, CO.sub.2 H, SO.sub.3 H and PO.sub.3 H;
• R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of H, CO.sub.2 H, SO.sub.3 H, PO.sub.3 H, OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy and Cl;
• R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of H and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylenephenyl;
• with the proviso that R.sup.1 is an acid or R.sup.5 is substituted with an acid group;
• and salts of such compounds;
• (b) applying an aqueous acidic solution to said textile fiber to lower a pH to 7 or below;
• and
• (c) drying said textile fiber to evaporate said solvent leaving a non-volatile coating of said phenolic compound on the surface of said textile.

A bleach resistant carpet having polyamide or polyester fibers product of the process comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying to the fibers a solution or dispersion of a compound of the formula:
• ##STR5## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, CO.sub.2 R.sup.4, SO.sub.3 H, PO.sub.3 H,CON(R.sup.4).sub.2, OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, and halo, where R.sup.4 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl;
• R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylenephenyl and phenyl, any of which may be substituted with up to two groups from R.sup.2 ;
• and salts of such compounds, in a solvent selected from the group consisting of water and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alcohol;
• and
• (b) drying said fiber to evaporate said solvent and deposit a non-volatile coating of said phenolic compound on a surface of said fiber.