Softening agents

A method for the treatment of cotton fibers, blends of wool with synthetic fibers, or synthetic fibers, so as to impart a softer handle, which comprises contacting the fibers with a polymer or prepolymer having the following structural formulae:

• i)
• J(N(R.sub.1).sub.n).sub.r
• or
• ii)
• (((R.sub.1).sub.n N).sub.s J(N(R.sub.1).sub.n-1).sub.r-s).sub.t B
• where N is nitrogen;
• J represents a residue derived from a polyfunctional polyether and represented by the grouping:
• --(A).sub.m --Z--(A).sub.m -- or ((A.sub.m)).sub.3 Z.sup.1
• where Z is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylene group;
• and
• Z.sup.1 represents:
• ##STR18## where each R.sub.2 is the same or different and is selected from hydrogen,
• or an ethyl group,
• and each R.sub.8 is the same or different and is selected from:
• a direct bond,
• or a methylene group;
• where A represents:
• --O--R.sub.9 --
• and is always linked to Z or Z.sup.1 by the oxygen atom (O);
• where R.sub.9 represents a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylene group, with the proviso that each individual group R.sub.9 in any structure is the same or different from any other group R.sub.9 in that structure;
• B is a bi- or polyfunctional bridging or connecting group;
• R.sub.1 represents a residue derived from monofunctional reaction of an epihalohydrin, an alkyl or alkyl aryl polyhalide, or a methylol grouping derived from monofunctional reaction of formaldehyde, or is alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydrogen, with the proviso that each individual group R.sub.1 in any structure is the same or different from any other group R.sub.1 in that structure;
• m is between 4 and 50;
• n is 2 or 3, with the proviso that, where n is 3, the nitrogen atom involved also bears a formal positive charge;
• r is either 2 or 3;
• t is a number representing the functionality of the residue B;
• s=1 when r=2, and s=2 when r=3;
• with the proviso that wherever a formal positive charge is present in the structure, then a counteranion is present.