Linen fabrics were treated with 1,3-dimethylol-4,5-dihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU) by pad-dry-cure process to give the wash and wear properties. The effects of curing temperatures, concentration of crosslinking agent and catalyst on the wrinkle recovery of the fabrics were investigated. The additives, triethanol amine(TEA) and/or poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG), were used to overcome the serious reduction of the strength of treated fabrics. The mixed additive, TEA/PEG/urethane resin, was added to the padding bath to improve the strength retention of treated fabrics. The fabrics treated with DMDHEU/TEA or DMDHEU/PEG had better strength retention than those of the fabrics treated with DMDHEU only. The fabrics treated with DMDHEU/TEA/PEG had the same degree of wash and wear properties as those of the fabrics treated with DMDHEU only, but better strength retention than those of the fabrics treated with either DMDHEU/TEA or DMDHEU/PEG. The addition of urethane resin to the padding liquor of DMDHEU/TEA/PEG improved the strength retention of treated fabrics further more.