Insect repellent compositions are provided for resilient use in fabrics. Compositions include an alcohol solvent and an ethoxylated oil mixed with an insecticidal pyrethroid of at least 25% of the composition. Permethrin, benzyl alcohol, and ethoxylated castor oil may be used in ratios ranging from about 2.5:1.5:1 to about 1:1.2:1.8. An insect repellent fabric is prepared by neutralizing the fabric and treating the fabric with the insect repellent formulation. The formulation may include a padding composition mixed with an insect repellent composition. The padding composition includes a polyglycol ether, an acrylic acid ester, an acrylic ester copolymer in aqueous solution, and a cross linking agent. The fabric may be evenly treated with the mixed padding and repellent composition and then dried. The treating may include impregnating the fabric with microcapsules that elute or diffuse the insect repellent and/or padding composition.
