PURPOSE: To obtain an absorbing material excellent in permeability, elasticity and restorability, by using a hydrophilic modified staple fiber treated with a specific nonionic surfactant as the thermoplastic resin staple fiber of the absorbing material.

CONSTITUTION: As the thermoplastic resin staple fiber of an absorbing material, a hydrophilic modified staple fiber obtained by a method wherein a thermoplastic resin staple fiber is dispersed in water by using a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of 2W20 and a m.p. more than a temp. during the dehydration of a slurry mixture to form the slurry mixture which is in turn dehydrated is used. Thus obtained absorbing material is especially excellent in the permeability of an aqueous liquid and has excellent elasticity and restorability.