Utility of selected amine oxides in textile technology

A process for making cellulosic fabrics more receptive to anionic dyes comprising the steps of:

• providing a textile product containing cellulosic fibers;
• contacting said textile product with an amine oxide without substantially dissolving said cellulosic fibers in said textile product, said amine oxide being present in an aqueous solution, said amine oxide reacting with said cellulosic fibers in said textile product for increasing the cationic charge of said fibers;
• heating said textile product;
• dying said textile product in a dye bath, said dye bath containing an anionic dye and a salting agent, said salting agent being present in said bath at a concentration of less than 120 grams/liter.

A process for making cellulosic fabrics more receptive to anionic dyes comprising the steps of:

• providing a textile product containing cellulosic fibers;
• contacting said textile product with an amine oxide, wherein said textile product is contacted with said amine oxide by being dipped into an aqueous solution containing said amine oxide, said amine oxide being present in said solution in amount from about 20% to about 50% by weight, said amine oxide reacting with said cellulosic fibers in said textile product for increasing the cationic charge of said fibers;
• heating said textile product;
• dyeing said textile product in a dye bath, said dye bath containing an anionic dye and a salting agent, said salting agent being present in said bath at a concentration of less than 120 grams/liter.

A process for making cotton fibers more receptive to dyes comprising the steps of:

• providing cotton fibers;
• contacting said fibers with an amine oxide, said amine oxide comprising trimethylamine oxide;
• heating said treated fibers;
• and
• contacting said fibers with an anionic dye.