Microplastics are the main threat, and the main source is your washing machine.

Alyssa McDaris | posted on October 29, 2021 at 6:14 PM

If every fitness enthusiast, athlete and outdoor enthusiast has too many things, it is synthetic clothing. After all, materials such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic are excellent at absorbing moisture and wicking sweat, dry quickly, and are really resistant to beating.

But all these synthetic materials are made of plastic. When these fibers break or pilling, they shed fine threads, which usually end up in our soil and water sources, causing health and environmental problems. Although you are careful, the culprit behind all these loose particles is in your home: your washing machine.

Fortunately, every time a load is run, there are simple ways to prevent microplastics from polluting the earth.

As the name suggests, microplastics are small pieces of plastic or plastic fibers that are usually invisible to the naked eye. Therefore, fighting to prevent them from being released is not as sexy as advocating against plastic straws or plastic bags-these efforts are often accompanied by heartbreaking images of sea turtles being suffocated by garbage. But marine biologist Alexis Jackson said that microplastics are still an urgent threat to our environment. She will know: She has a PhD. In terms of ecology and evolutionary biology, as the ocean policy leader of the California branch of The Nature Conservancy, he has extensively studied plastics in our oceans.

But unlike buying metal straws or collecting reusable shopping bags, the solution to this microscopic problem is unclear. First, microplastics are so tiny that sewage treatment plants are usually unable to filter them out.

[Related: Reusable shopping bags are not as environmentally friendly as you think]

When they slip past, they end up being almost everywhere. They were even found in the Arctic. And they are not just annoying: Any animal that eats these tiny plastic threads may end up causing obstruction of the digestive tract, reduced energy and decreased appetite, all of which can lead to growth retardation and reduced reproductive capacity. In addition, microplastics have been shown to absorb harmful chemicals such as heavy metals and pesticides, and bring these toxins into the body of plankton, fish, seabirds and other wild animals.

From there, dangerous chemicals can move up the food chain and appear in your seafood dinner, not to mention your tap water.

Unfortunately, we do not yet have data on the potential long-term effects of microplastics on human health. But since we know they are harmful to animals (and plastics are not a recommended part of a healthy and balanced diet), Jackson pointed out that it is safe to say that we should avoid putting them in our bodies.

When you need to wash tights, basketball shorts, or moisture-wicking vests, you can take some measures to prevent microplastics from entering the environment.

First separate your clothes-not by color, but by material. Wash rough or rough clothes such as jeans and softer clothes such as polyester T-shirts and plush sweaters separately. In this way, you can reduce the friction caused by the coarser material colliding with the finer material within 40 minutes. Less friction means that your clothes will not wear out quickly, and the fibers are less prone to premature breakage.

Then, make sure you are using cold water instead of hot water. Heat will weaken the fibers and make them break more easily; cold water will help them last longer. Next, run short cycles instead of normal or long cycles, which will limit the chance of fiber breakage. When you are doing it, if you can, reduce the speed of the spin cycle-this will further reduce friction. A study showed that these methods together reduced microfiber shedding by 30%. 

When we discuss the subject of washing machine settings, please avoid subtle loops. This may be contrary to your beliefs, but it uses more water than other washing modes to prevent friction-a higher water-to-fabric ratio will actually increase fiber shedding.

[Related: This is why sportswear smells so stinky-and how to make them look new]

Finally, skip the dryer altogether. We cannot stress enough: heat shortens the life of materials and makes them more susceptible to breakage during the next laundry. Fortunately, synthetic clothing dries quickly, so hang it outside or on your shower rod-you can even save money by running the dryer less frequently.

Once your clothes are washed and dried, don't go back to the washing machine for the time being. Many items don’t need to be washed after each use, so if they don’t smell like a wet dog after one use, put those shorts or shirts back on the dressing table and wear one or two. If there is only one dirty spot, please clean it by hand instead of starting loading.

You can also use a variety of tools to reduce microfiber shedding. Guppyfriend has created a laundry bag specifically designed to capture broken fibers and microplastic waste, while also protecting clothes to prevent fiber decomposition. Just put your synthetic fiber inside, zip up, throw it into the washing machine, pick out any and dispose of any microplastic lint stuck in the corner of the bag. Even standard laundry bags help reduce friction, so they are also an option.

A separate lint filter connected to the drain hose of the washing machine is another effective and unlimited reusable option, reducing microplastics by up to 80%. But don’t be born for laundry balls that are said to be used to capture microfibers in the wash: the beneficial results are relatively small.

As for detergents, many popular brands contain plastic, including those convenient pods, which are broken down into microplastic particles in the washing machine. However, figuring out which detergent is the culprit requires some digging. Learn how to determine whether your detergent is truly environmentally friendly before restocking, or consider making your own. Then take care of your synthetic fibers, starting from laundry day.

Alisha McDarris is a freelance writer for PopSci, specializing in all things outdoor and sustainable development. She also writes for Backpacker, Outside, BBC Travel and other magazines. In addition, she is also the co-founder, chief principal, writer, photographer and screen character of the sustainable travel and adventure blog Terradrift. When she is not writing, you will find her backpacking, kayaking, hiking, or rock climbing while trying to determine how many hiking shirts she can wear before her husband begs her to do the laundry.

It is cheap, simple and fast. Did we mention cheaper?

The impact on our bodies is still unclear, but early research results indicate that the smallest fragments may cause harm.

Since the 1950s, microplastics have been accumulating in many areas.

Do you like science, technology and DIY projects?

Sign up to receive popular science emails and get highlights.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that aims to provide us with a way to earn money by linking to Amazon.com and affiliate sites. Registering or using this website signifies acceptance of our terms of service.