oils have low surface tension, i believe a true no-surface tension liquid is as impossible as a true frictionless surface.

i didn’t consider friction though! i think the rag would still dry out completely pretty quick, but you might have a few seconds while the water falls out depending on how tight the mesh is?

i dunno, this is a real whacky thing to think about!

the cloth attracts it because of the capillary action pulling water into the gaps therein, and capillary action relies on surface tension! i think without outside forces like suction, the liquid in this scenario would never flow against gravity.

i think hahah