sucking up a spill

I don't think there's enough information here. Have you looked at a vendor website such as Lab Safety Supply's?

Hello Topper,

What is the spill? If it is not a hazard and the spill seems very small, why worry about the amount and or perhaps cost?

If however, as was the case at a print place I worked for a short while, a machine continuously leaks. You can buy various sizes of 'tube' shaped or snake like absorbent 'dams which can be used to prevent oil and other liquids from creeping from under a machine and thus be hazardous. These look exactly the same as the 'snakes' used at the base of a door to keep draughts out. They are also available in other shapes , pillows etc, and once they are finished with, depending on what has been absorbed, they can be replaced with more of the same or just disposed of appropriately.

http://www.directindustry.com/industrial-manufacturer/absorbent-74639.html

This site makes the 'socks' we used and other items.

If we were using a fluid such as distilled water the amount would be around 1/2 teaspoon.

Welcome aboard! What fluid did you have in mind? Polymer "crystals" will not always be the best choice.