Tips for Washing Synthetic Textiles
Includes: Polyester, Spandex, Nylon, Rayon, Acrylic
- Do laundry less often. Washing full loads instead of partial loads reduces release of microfibers because garments are exposed to less friction during the wash cycle.
- Use cold water, which releases fewer microfibers than hot water.
- Use less detergent, which increases microfiber release.
- Use a front-loading washing machine, whose tumbling action produces less microfiber release.
- Dry laundry on a clothesline. Running clothes in dryers releases additional microfibers into the air from the dryer vent.
- Use a microplastics bag to catch released microplastics, although these are not perfect - studies of products find they only collect about one-third of released microfibers.
- Information from PBS.org: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/laundry-is-a-top-source-of-microplastic-pollution-heres-how-to-clean-your-clothes-more-sustainably
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