An aluminum acetate salt solution containing sodium and chloride ions is prepared by reaction of aqueous aluminum chloride and sodium acetate. It is suitable for use as a catalyst in the treatment of cellulosic-containing textiles with formaldehyde or a formaldehyde-amide adduct crosslinking agent to produce durable press properties in the finished material. There is no discoloration in the thus-treated fabric which also exhibits greater strength than is normally present in fabric treated to the same level of wrinkle resistance with an aluminum salt catalyst.