Cotton fleece is not able to meet the federal flammability standard for general apparels (CFR 1610) without flame retardant treatment. Consequently, cotton fleece is not available in the market in spite of high demands. In our previous research, we studied the application of a hydroxyl-functional organophosphorus oligomer as a flame retardant finishing agent for cotton fleece. In this research, we investigated the use of aluminum hydroxyphosphate (AHP) formed in situ on cotton by the reaction of aluminum sulfate and sodium phosphates to reduce the flammability of cotton fleece. We found that the AHP formed on cotton is effective in reducing the cotton fleece's flammability from "Class 3" to "Class 1." Elemental analysis of aluminum and phosphorus in the AHP shows that the mole ratio of Al/P changes as the pH value of the sodium phosphates solution changes. The pH of the sodium phosphate solutions also affect the quantity of AHP formed on the cotton fleece. The treated cotton fleece retains "Class 1" flammability after one home laundering or the combination of dry-cleaning and hand washing procedures. The treatment increases the whiteness of the cotton fleece whereas it reduces its bursting strength. The cotton fleece thus treated is also investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.