A hydrophilic polymer is denatured with a gaseous denaturant or a powdery denaturant substance made from a liquid denaturant substance. The liquid denaturant substance is made into powders by, for example, a method of mixing the liquid denaturant substance with a water-insoluble compound, a method of cooling the liquid denaturant substance to or below its melting point to turn the same into a solid state. Consequently, the hydrophilic polymer can be denatured uniformly. In case that the hydrophilic polymer is denatured with a gaseous denaturant, the hydrophilic polymer and denaturant react with each other efficiently in a safe manner regardless of the size or shape of the hydrophilic polymer. In case that the hydrophilic polymer is denatured with the powdery denaturant substance, not only the liquid denaturant substance which is substantially in the solid state can be mixed with the hydrophilic polymer, but also the denaturation timing can be readily controlled.