What process is noted for making material softer?

The process that is most noted for making material softer is combing. Combing involves the use of coarse-to-fine combs to untangle and align fibers, which can lead to a smoother and softer hand feel in textiles. This technique is commonly used in the preparation of cotton and other fibers before spinning, as it removes impurities and short fibers, resulting in a finer and more comfortable final product.

While other processes like thermal treatment and washing can also affect the texture of materials, combing specifically addresses the alignment of fibers, which directly contributes to the softness of the fabric. Thermal treatment typically involves heat application, which may alter the properties of fibers without necessarily making them softer in the same way that combing does. Washing can clean a fabric and sometimes soften it as well, but it is not primarily designed for the purpose of improving softness like combing is. Thus, combing stands out as the dedicated method for enhancing the softness of materials.