AbstractThe effect of washing on the texture of silica gel has been investigated in terms of parameters such as porosity, pore size distribution, surface area and absorption of moisture. It was observed that if silica gel (before activation) is washed with water containing dissolved ions such as Ca and Mg wider pores are formed at the expense of smaller ones. This phenomenon has been explained in terms of change in the size distribution of gel particles which is brought about by solution of very fine particles followed by growth, through condensation, of larger particles. The experimental observations have been interpreted to suggest guidelines to control the texture of gels by washing with solutions comaining different cations.