This documentary study presents the possibilities of selective oxidation by sodium or potassium periodate and/or 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPO) of cotton textiles, the reaction mechanisms, the assessment and the analytical and instrumental determination of the degree of oxidation of the hydroxyl groups in the C2, C3 and C6 positions of the anhydroglucosidic unit (AGU), with aldehyde/carboxylic groups. The effects of selective oxidation on the molecular and morphological structure of cellulose are also briefly presented, since oxidation depending on the reaction conditions can significantly affect both the amorphous and crystalline areas of cellulose, at the microfibril level, which leads to a decrease in mechanical resistance, which is undesirable in the case of textiles with long-term use or even single-use. Selective oxidation in this case is a compromise between functionality (expressed by the content of aldehyde/carboxylic groups) and moderate degradation of the molecular and morphological structure of cotton cellulose.