Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are often applied to textiles for their strong antimicrobial activity and have potential use in various application. In this paper, a study has been performed to identify the bioreduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) by the leaf of Liquidambar orientalis Mill. plant in Turkey and its application on cotton (Co) and cotton/polyester (Co/PES) fabrics. Characterization of silver AgNPs was made by using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrums and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images while Scanning Electron Microcopy (SEM) was used to characterize the surface of textile fabrics. The inhibition zones were studied by using Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria to determine antimicrobial activity of both AgNPs and AgNPs loaded fabrics. The UV–Vis spectra gave surface plasmon resonance at 450 nm for synthesized AgNPs and nanoparticle synthesis was completed within 1 min. In vitro antimicrobial activities against gram (+) (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram (-) (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria of AgNPs and AgNP immobilized cotton and cotton/PES fabrics were demonstrated. SEM images of treated fabrics indicated silver nanoparticles were well dispersed on the surfaces of specimens.