Sticky cottons were subjected to increased mechanical processing through sequential passages through a microdust and trash monitor. The cumulative amount of trash removed increased with each passage, but this did not significantly reduce either the sugar content or the minicard stickiness rating suggesting concentration of sticky spots on the fiber rather than on plant debris. However, the number of Thermodetector spots increased significantly with passage through the microdust and trash monitor. Since sugar content did not vary, the increased number of Thermodetector spots suggest that the larger sticky spots were broken into more numerous smaller spots when cotton is processed. Where processed cottons are concerned, the results suggest that Thermodetector test results may require a somewhat different interpretation than the results on raw cotton.