Effects of cationic surfactants old the wetting behavior of the DMDHEU treated cotton fibers were investigated using a technique based on the Wilhelmy principle. The results indicated that Interactions between the fiber and water ill the interface make contributions to wettability of the cotton fiber surface because of reorientation of polar groups at the interface. The effects of types and concentration of cationic surfactant on the wettability of both control and durable press(DP) finished cotton fiber are discussed. Below and near the critical micelle concentration(cmc), the adsorption of hexadecyltrimethylammoniumbromide(HTAB) on the control fiber makes the fiber surface more hydrophobic. Near and above the cmc of octadecyltrimethylammouniumbromide(OTAB) , the decrease in advancing contact angles indicates that the control cotton surface became hydrophilic. By the adsorption of both HTAB and OTAB onto the fiber surface, the hydrophobicity of the DP finished fiber surface became mere hydrophilic.