The present invention is concerned with a method for improving the water storage capacity of textile substrates, particularly fleece based artificial leathers by treatment with a hydrophilizing agent. This agent, once applied to the substrate is insoluble in but swellable in water. The agent in an uncross-linked state is water soluble and has a turbidity point of between about 25.degree. and 95.degree. C. in a 25% aqueous solution. The agent may be applied to the substrate from aqueous solution and then cross-linked or it may be applied to an inert carrier such as kaolin, cross-linked and applied to the substrate from an aqueous suspension. A particularly suitable agent is a polyether with a molecular weight of between 500 and 8500, an ethylene oxide content of about 35 to 80 wt. % and cross-linkable end groups. The end groups may be self cross-linking such as vinyl groups or they may be cross-linkable via a cross-linking promoter such as hexamethylol melamine. These end groups include the hydroxyl groups normally present in polyethers produced from polyalkylene oxides.