Webs intended to absorb high levels of water are preferably made from hydrophilic fibers comprising such materials as nylon, rayon, regenerated cellulose, or PET. Alternately, less hydrophilic fibers may be used, such as polyolefins as described above, which are treated with surfactants to improve hydrophilicity (e.g., blooming surfactants added to the polymeric melt or surfactants applied to the