absorbent material
Wicks up moisture
Material that soaks up and retains liquids or gases.
The term appears in technical contexts—chemistry, medicine, manufacturing—where the absorbing function matters more than the specific substance: The spill was cleaned up with absorbent material.
Cotton, sponges, paper towels, and certain polymers all qualify.
- bath towelsAbsorbent cloths for drying
- terry clothLooped absorbent fabric
- paper towelDisposable absorbent cleaning sheet
- spongeAbsorbent cleaning material
- silica gelMoisture-absorbing granular material
cleaning rag · kapok · cotton · vermiculite · diapers · wool · desiccants · hydrogels · cellulose · peat · hemp · gauze · flax · polyurethane foam · sphagnum · paper towels · napkins · chamois leather