A method which can be used effectively for the evaluation of alkali-treated cotton textile goods has been developed based on the ratio of propanol reduction values. The ratios of propanol reduction values have been classified into specific norms proposed for assessing the degree of mercerization of cotton textile materials. The compatibility of the new method with the barium activity number method is quite good. The applicability of the new method can also be extended to evaluate alkali-treated viscose rayon samples, their blends with cotton cellulose and sulphur-dyed samples. -- AATA