ABSTRACTN‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide monomer was used to impart dual antibacterial functionality to regenerated cellulose fibers. In this regard, the monomer was grafted onto the surfaces by a “grafting from” technique, then the tertiary amine groups were quaternized and the acyclic amide groups were halogenated. Antibacterial activities of the mono‐ and dual‐functional coatings were comparatively evaluated. All the treatments were found to be effective againstStaphylococcus aureusandEscherichia coliwith about six logs bacterial reduction. It was found that dual‐functional coatings provided rapid inactivation as opposed to the monofunctional coatings. FTIR, TGA, and SEM analysis, wash fastness, light stabilities, and the mechanical properties of the coated fabrics were also comparably reported. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2017,134, 44872.