The present invention concerns a liquid textile-pretreating agent useful in all continuous and batch pretreatment operations which is based on phosphoric esters of alkoxylated Guerbet alcohols and is very stable to alkali not only in the formulation but also in the liquor. It is usually used in the form of an aqueous composition having an active content in the range from 40% to 70% by weight, with or without 0.1% to 3.5% by weight of further auxiliary materials, examples being surfactants, biocides, defoamers or foam suppressants. |