Triethanolamine trisulphate (TES) was synthesised in good yield. The synthesis was monitored by capillary electrophoresis and this technique was also used to follow its hydrolysis and to analyse the residual products formed during its application to cellulose. In the presence of sodium hydroxide, TES was found to react covalently with cotton. Fabrics treated with alkaline TES solutions by a pad–cure method at elevated temperatures gave high wrinkle recovery angles, confirming that crosslinking with the cellulose molecular chains had occurred. Some yellowing was observed but whiteness of the fabric was improved by including a reducing agent. Despite the fact that the latter gave a slight decrease in wrinkle recovery values, it is clear that TES is highly promising as a crosslinking agent in the production of easy care cotton garments. Unlike most other agents used for this purpose, it has the advantage of avoiding the possibility of formaldehyde release.