In order to enhance hydrophilic properties of fiber surfaces, polyester fabrics were treated with an atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) jet with three reactive gas sources; air, nitrogen and argon. The surface reflection spectrum and the tensile extension parameters showed that the plasma impact damage to the fabric was small. The wettability and the surface free energy of the single fiber surface were found to increase considerably after the APP jet treatment. The water wicking rate into the capillaries of the polyester fabric was promoted as a result of the decrement in the advancing contact angle of water on the fiber surface. In addition, the APP jet treatment increased the dyeability of dispersive dyes and the soil release by laundering for the polyester fabric. The above improvements in the functional properties of the polyester fabric were remarkable when nitrogen was used as a reactive gas source.