Abstract: An abrasive nonwoven fibrous web material is produced by initially forming a nonabrasive precursor nonwoven fibrous web material having on a first planar surface thereof a substantially uniform distribution of attenuated meltable thermoplastic fibers, such as polypropylene fibers. The precursor web is heated sufficiently to cause the attenuated thermoplastic fibers therein to shrink and form nodulated fiber remnants that impart a roughened abrasive character to the planar surface of the resultant web material. The concentration of the abrasive fiber remnants decreases across the thickness of the web material from the abrasive planar surface toward the opposite planar surface of the web to provide an abrasive fiber remnant gradient across the web. The nodulated abrasive fiber remnants comprise about 10%-50% by weight of the total fiber content of the web material and exhibit an average particle size of at least about 100 micrometers.