What property of natural fibers causes them to take longer to dry?

Natural fibers, such as wool and cotton, exhibit a high level of absorbency due to their structural properties. This absorbency enables them to take in moisture from their surroundings and retains it within their fibers. When these fibers become saturated with water during cleaning processes, the extra moisture they hold requires more time to evaporate. Consequently, the drying process for carpets made from natural fibers is prolonged compared to those made with synthetic fibers, which typically have lower absorbency and dry faster. Thus, the high absorbent nature of natural fibers is the primary reason they take longer to dry.