•The present work was undertaken with applying AgNPs for coating cotton fabrics to impart antibacterial activity.•The treated fabrics were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray and FTIR.•Silver contents in fabrics were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).•Color coordinates and silver release for the coated fabrics were both detected.•The antibacterial action of the coated fabrics was tested against Gram +ve Gram −ve bacteria. An ecological and viable method for coating of cotton fabrics with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been carried out. Nanocoated fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and infrared spectroscopy. Color coordinates and silver release were assessed and the impact of repeated washings was evaluated. Silver contents were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy and were 109.07 and 97.85mg/kg for the fabrics treated with 100ppm of AgNPs in presence and absence of binder respectively. Antibacterial activities of the cotton fabrics coated by AgNPs were evaluated qualitatively and quantatively, and the results explored that, regardless of the concentration of AgNPs used, the biocidability was always higher without washing. However, for all coated fabrics, a sufficient antibacterial action still observed after 20 washings. The results revealed that valuable antibacterial textiles which are required in different medical textile fields could be successfully produced.