Textile processing friction may be affected by surface materials on cotton. These materials include, in addition to man-induced contaminants, naturally occurring substances such as waxes, metals, sugars, and "other" residues. Concentrations of these materials may vary depending on fiber history and other factors. We, however, are able to quantify through various standard analytical tests, concentrations of these materials. Since little information is presently available in the area of just what contributions these surface materials make to overall processing friction and quality, a brief study was designed to do so. Work using standard analytical procedures to measure levels of surface materials are conducted on cottons from different growing areas. Fiber frictions in the form of RotorRing measurements are also determined for each sample. Subsequent relationships between metal, wax, and "other" residues and how they may affect textile fiber processing friction are explored.