This invention is directed to an improvement in nonwoven products comprised of a nonwoven web of fibers bonded together with polymeric binder comprised of emulsion polymerized units of vinyl acetate, ethylene, and a crosslinking monomer. The polymer is stabilized with a surfactant having a critical micelle concentration of about 0.5 to 3% by weight. The surfactant is employed in the polymerization in an amount less than 1% by weight, based upon the total weight of polymer.