Abstract: The optimum conditions for the ICP-AES determination of total heavy metals in textiles,including the pretreatment of samples,the working parameters of instrument,were studied and described.The dry-ashing method of sample treatment was modified by adding magnesium nitrate solution as an assisting reagent,by igniting at 530 ℃ in a muffle furnace for 2-5 h to ash the sample completely and finally by dissolving the ignited residue with nitric acid.The heavy metals (Pb,Cd,As,Cu,Co,Ni,Cr,Sb etc) ions in the solution were then determined by ICP-AES.RSD′s and recoveries of this method were found in the ranges of 1.56%-9.62%,and 83.2%-108.4% respectively.