Abstract: A new method for detection of formaldehyde in undamaged textiles was established. In the experiment, the formaldehyde was absorbed by self-designed equipment and measured by the spectrophotography. The detection limit was 10.9 mg/kg which is lower than that in the GB18401-2001 for determination of the formaldehyde content in textiles. The experimental conditions such as temperature, rotational speed and absorption solvent were optimized. The optimum test conditions: 300 mL absorption liquid (water), maximum drum speed V＝12.5 r/min, at 45℃ thermostatic. The result showed that this new method was superior to that of GB18401-2001 when the formaldehyde content was low.