The interaction and durability to laundering of a reactive beta-cyclodextrin derivative, applied to Tencel fabric and bleached cotton fabric, was investigated using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The N(1s) XPS spectra of the MCT beta-cyclodextrin treated substrates revealed the presence of the applied finish on the fibre surface and that the surface concentration increased with increasing level of the applied finish. The bleached cotton had a relatively greater level of fixation of the chemical finish in comparison to the treated Tencel. The reactive beta-cyclodextrin fixed onto Tencel and bleached cotton was durable to ISO CO6/C2S washes. (c) 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.