Despite the inherent advantages of cotton fabrics, such as high moisture absorption, biocompatibility, and softness, their susceptibility to microbial growth often leads to unpleasant odors and the proliferation of pathogens. Consequently, the development of antibacterial textiles has emerged as a strategic research priority. In the present study, cotton fabrics were functionalized using zinc oxide (ZnO), graphene oxide (GO), and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanostructures. The physical and structural properties of the synthesized nanomaterials were characterized via transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results revealed that ZnO nanoparticles possess a wurtzite crystal structure with an average particle size of 20 nm, while GO and MoS2 exhibited plate-like morphologies with dimensions in the micrometer and 150 nm ranges, respectively. Following the coating process, the microstructure, wettability, and antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) were evaluated. The findings demonstrated that fabrics coated with MoS2 and ZnO exhibited the largest zones of inhibition against both bacterial strains. Notably, GO-modified fabrics showed reduced antibacterial performance, which correlated with their decreased wettability. Furthermore, washing stability tests indicated that MoS2 -coated fabrics maintained superior antibacterial activity, whereas GO-coated fabrics displayed enhanced abrasion resistance. Based on these findings, MoS2 nanostructures are recommended as a highly stable and effective antibacterial coating for textile applications.