Why care about laundry?

Neda Žilinskaitė
May 22
3 min read

When we think of plastic pollution, we often imagine bottles and bags drifting in the ocean. But a more insidious form of pollution is happening right in our homes - through something as mundane as doing the laundry.

Modern laundry practices, especially when using synthetic fabrics and conventional detergents, are a major source of microplastic pollution. These microplastics - tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size - are shed from our clothes and flow down the drain, bypassing most wastewater treatment systems and ending up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans.

The Hidden Source: Microplastics in Laundry Detergents and Clothes

Much like microbeads that were once common in personal care products, laundry products such as detergent pods and sheets often contain a polymer called polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). While advertised as “biodegradable,” recent studies suggest PVA doesn’t fully degrade in typical wastewater systems, contributing to microplastic pollution instead (PubMed Central).

But the real issue goes beyond detergent. When we wash synthetic clothing - such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic - tiny plastic fibers known as microfibers are released into the water. According to research published in Scientific Reports, a single load of laundry can release up to 700,000 microfibers (Nature).

Why Microplastics Matter

Once released into the environment, microplastics accumulate in aquatic ecosystems and are mistaken for food by fish and other marine organisms. These particles have been linked to gut blockages, reproductive harm, and even death in marine animals. Alarmingly, microplastics have been found in human blood, lungs, and even placentas (PubMed Central).

In addition to physical harm, microplastics may carry harmful chemicals like phthalates and BPA, which are known endocrine disruptors. Ingesting microplastics - whether through seafood or drinking water - poses potential long-term health risks to humans.

What Can We Do? Introducing Sustainable Solutions

While the problem is significant, innovation offers hope. Two standout companies are tackling microplastic pollution at the source - Matter Industries and CLEANR.

🌍 Matter Industries (UK)

Matter Industries has developed Gulp, a groundbreaking washing machine filter that captures up to 90% of microfibers during a typical wash cycle. Unlike conventional filters, Gulp is long-lasting, easy to use, and doesn’t require disposable cartridges. Best of all, the collected fibres can be returned to Matter for responsible recycling.

“Our goal is to stop microplastics from entering the ocean - one wash at a time.” — Matter Industries Learn more

🇺🇸 CLEANR (USA)

Founded by engineers from Case Western Reserve University, CLEANR has developed the VORTX filter, capable of removing over 90% of microfibers (down to 50 microns) from laundry wastewater. Designed to retrofit any washing machine, it offers a scalable solution for households, hotels, and laundromats. Read more on Spectrum News

Easy Steps You Can Take

Choose natural fibers: Cotton, hemp, and wool shed far fewer microplastics than synthetic fabrics.
Wash less, and colder: Reducing wash frequency and using cold water lessens fiber shedding.
Use a microfiber filter: Products like Gulp or CLEANR make a measurable difference.
Avoid PVA-based pods/sheets: Look for eco-friendly detergents that don’t rely on plastic coatings.

A Cleaner Ocean Starts at Home

The issue of microplastics in laundry may be invisible to the naked eye, but the impact is vast and growing. As consumers, we have the power to change the tide. By being mindful of our laundry habits and supporting sustainable technologies, we can protect both the oceans and our own health.

Let’s rethink the way we wash - and wash away pollution, not plastic.

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