We report an antibacterial and wash durability behaviour of MgO and NiO nanoparticles treated cotton fabric using sodium alginate as cross linker. The metal oxide nanoparticles treated cotton fabric using sodium alginate as a crosslinker was characterized employing SEM-EDX and their antibacterial activity was analyzed. The enhanced zone of inhibition and wash durability behaviour was observed for NiO nanoparticles treated fabric. However, MgO nanoparticles showed less significant antibacterial and wash durabilty activities when compared to NiO nanoparticles treated cotton fabrics. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.