Various catalysts of the amine hydrochloride or metal chloride type have been tested for applying THPOH/amide flame-retardant formulations to cotton at an initial pH of 8.0, using DMDHEU as the amide component. Most of the catalysts were unsuitable at this pH because of interaction with THPOH, precipitation of metal hydroxide, insufficient strength of the conjugate base, or other reasons. The only catalysts found to be effective under these conditions were trimethylamine hydrochloride and magnesium chloride.