The most important feature of textile fibers is the ability to absorb water in a certain temperature and relative humidity environment. The amount of moisture absorbed varies depending on the type of fiber and the moisture condition of the environment.

Under normal conditions, a fabric in a humid environment will suck on the moisture in the air and get wet. On the other hand, if a damp and wet fabric is kept in a dry air, it starts to lose the water on it. If a fiber can collect water very quickly, it dries in a dry environment at the same speed.

However, the rate of moisture collection and release and the amount of dehumidification are different concepts. Moisture content in textile products is expressed in two ways as percent moisture and absolute moisture. Percent moisture means the ratio of the amount of water that a fabric collects to the wet weight of that fabric. Absolute humidity is the ratio of the amount of water in a fabric to the dry weight of that fabric.

Among the fibers in an environment with the same relative humidity, wool is the most moisture-absorbing. The wool is followed by silk, linen, cotton and other synthetic threads. For example, glass fiber does not absorb moisture in any way.

Natural fibers absorb a great deal of moisture, but they feel dry when handled. Therefore, in the textile sector, the amount of moisture that may be present on the fibers is limited. For example, the labable moisture content of certain fibers is limited to: cotton percent 7-8,5, linen percent 12, silk percent 11, wool percent 13-19 and viscose silk percent 11-13.

The moisture content of the yarns is also determined in the authorized laboratories. The standard used in these studies is as follows:

• TS 467 Methods for determination of moisture and moisture gain in textile materials

This standard covers three different methods for the determination of moisture and dehumidification quantities in textile products.