Synthetic textile materials, such as polyamides, polyesters, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, and cellulose triacetate, are treated with an ester containing on average, at least two mercaptan groups per molecule, which is then cured, in order to impart a better handle and improved antisoil properties. Typically, the ester is prepared by the reaction of A. A COMPOUND CONTAINING AT LEAST TWO CARBOXYLIC ACID GROUPS B. A COMPOUND CONTAINING AT LEAST TWO ALCOHOLIC HYDROXYL GROUPS AND, OPTIONALLY, C. A COMPOUND CONTAINING NOT MORE THAN ONE CARBOXYLIC ACID GROUP OR ALCOHOLIC HYDROXYL GROUP, ESPECIALLY A MONOMERCAPTOMONOCARBOXYLIC ACID OR A MONOMERCAPTOMONOHYDRIC ALCOHOL.