Q: How can I reduce microplastics in my laundry cleaning routine?
A. Synthetic fibers can get released in wastewater and can end up in our oceans. There are steps you can take to reduce your clothes contributing to microplastics:
- Look for natural fabrics. When looking for new clothing options, it can help to familiarize yourself which the names of popular synthetic materials and consider favoring fabrics that use a higher percentage of natural materials.
- Opt for well-made clothes. Low-priced but stylish clothes, known as fast fashion, may look great but are unlikely to last. By choosing pieces that are better made, even if that means getting fewer of them, your clothes will be more likely to hold up to repeated washes and shed fewer fibers, enabling them to look their best for a long time to come.
- Don’t wash clothes more than recommended. Visit our guide on how frequently to wash different items of clothing so that you don’t put your outfits through more wear and tear than needed.
- Wash in cold water. Another way to reduce the wear and tear that can break down clothing fibers is to wash laundry in cold water. This has the added benefit of saving energy and money that would have been spent heating the water.
- Don’t overfill the washer. Friction can cause microfiber shedding in the laundry. Reduce that friction by only putting an appropriate amount of clothes in each load of laundry and avoid stuffing the washer full. This will also help enable your clothes to get cleaner.
- Consider line drying. Heat and tumbling in the dryer can also be a source of microfiber shedding. If you have the space, inside or outside, consider hanging a line or using a rack to air dry your laundry.
FAQ
Does laundry detergent contribute to microplastics?
Absolutely not. Laundry detergent does not contribute to microplastics. Encapsulation in laundry products, such as fragrance microcapsules or PVA film in detergent packets, is often misunderstood as a source of microplastics. However, it biodegrades and does not contribute to microplastic pollution. You can continue to use these product options without concern.
Why the confusion? The film used in these products, known as PVA or PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol), is a polymer. Plastics are also polymers. However, not all polymers are the same. For instance, silk is also a polymer. In this case, the details really matter. PVOH is a unique kind of polymer that dissolves in the wash. Then, microbes found in wastewater systems and in the environment break it down, leaving no particles behind. And there’s A LOT of research to back that up. Check it out! It’s why the EPA includes it in their Safer Chemicals Ingredients List.
Do my clothes contain plastic?
Probably. You may realize that those polyester pants from the 70s were made from plastic, but fabric has come a long way since then. We now have wicking workout gear, jeans with spandex stretch technology and more. Plastic comes in many forms and most clothes today are made using at least some synthetic fibers.
This can become a concern when the clothing is washed, because fibers can break off and go into our wastewater systems as microplastics. Microplastics are tiny, water-insoluble synthetic polymer particles. They are problematic because they can enter the food chain and are challenging to remove from the environment. Textiles make up one of the bigger contributors to microplastic.
Which fabrics are most likely to shed microfibers?
Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, acrylic and fleece are common sources of plastic microfibers. Heavily brushed, fuzzy or thick synthetic garments—like fleece jackets—may shed more than tightly woven fabrics.
What laundry settings can help reduce microplastics in laundry?
Washing in cold water can reduce stress on fabrics and may help limit shedding. It also saves energy and is gentler on many garments when the care label allows cold washing. Also opt for shorter, gentler cycles for synthetic fabrics. Longer cycles and heavy agitation can increase friction between garments, which can lead to more fiber shedding.
Updated: August 20, 2026