An old cloth absorbs water much more quickly than a new cloth. Why is it so?

Answer 1

When a cloth is new, the free space between the threads are bound to be less. While on other hand, an old cloth cloth which is previously washed have more inter-thread space. As you must have studied in chemistry 'more the surface area exposed, faster is the reaction!' The same logic holds true here also.
And Hence an old cloth absorbs water more quickly than a new one.

Answer 2

As a cloth is coloured using chemicals, it would take time to absorb water for it (chemicals are water proof). In case of old cloth, chemicals have already gone. So, it can absorb water with more efficiency than a new cloth.

Answer 3

New cloth is often applied with chemicals (to preserve colour and certain stabilizers), which prohibit the cloth soaking up water. Those chemicals are water-resistant.

The chemicals get washed of easily after several times of doing laundry. You could also soak the cloth in cold water for one night and then wash it with a handfull of salt.

Though 'natural' fabrics soak up water more easily than 'chemical' fabrics, that doesn't contribute much to the soaking-up-quality of cloth.

Answer 4

Old ragged cloths are more porous and thus can absorb water more easily...it just depends on the cloth...

Answer 5

an old cloth contains doesn't much moisture as compared with the new cloth.less moisture in the cloth tends to dry more as compared to the new cloth

Answer 6

due to the cloth txture that lets the water get into it easier.

Answer 7

the fibers of old cloth are more fringed and laminated; this increases capillary phenomenon resulting in higher adhesion of water;

Answer 8

Because the surfaces of the fibres have been abraded, due to wear, thereby facilitating the penetration of water.

Answer 9

because even though it doesnt seem it the old clothes has a larger surface are due to fraying

Answer 10

..because old is gold.