Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of hydrophilic filaments and fibers from filament-forming synthetic polymers by spinning a solution which, in addition to a suitable solvent, contains from 5 to 50% by weight, based on the solvent and solids, of a substance which is essentially a non-solvent for the polymer, has a higher boiling point than the solvent used and is readily miscible with the spinning solvent and with a liquid suitable as a washing liquid for the filaments, and subsequently washing this substance out of the filaments, wherein a suspension is initially prepared at room temperature from the solvent, the polymer and the substance, the suspension thus prepared is subsequently heated, left for at least one minute and at most 15 minutes at a temperature of at least 30.degree. C. and of at most 60.degree. C.