Silicones have proved their usefulness in almost every industry during the past few years. A silicone water repellent has been developed for synthetic textiles. This water repellent may be easily applied with conventional equipment from solvent or emulsion systems to give water repellency which is extremely durable to dry cleaning and laundering. In addition, the silicone finish imparts excellent hand, better sewability and improved physical properties to synthetic fabrics. Other silicones, such as antifoaming agents, high-temperature lubricating greases and electrical insulating materials, have also proved their usefulness in the textile industry. And all of these silicone products will probably prove to be no more than the vanguard of a host of silicone materials of primary interest to the textile industry.