A study was undertaken at the North Carolina State University School of Textiles of the effects of water and other solvents on degraded cotton fabrics. Cotton fabrics were artificially degraded using radiation, sulfuric acid, and heat; and each of these was compared to an unexposed control and naturally degraded cotton. Fabrics were extracted in deionized water, Stoddard solvent, chloroform, and acetone. Weight loss, moisture regain before and after extraction, and change in tensile strength were measured. Extracts were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography, colorimetric analysis of the reducing sugars, and high-pressure liquid chromatography. The degraded cotton fabrics were found to be more sensitive to extraction with water than with other solvents. Water was found to be a good solvent for the degradation products of cellulose and to have a significant effect on degraded cotton. -- AATA