5 Tips to Reduce Microfiber Shedding When Washing Polyester

Washing your clothes is a part of everyday life, but when it comes to polyester garments, there’s a hidden consequence – microfiber shedding. Polyester is a durable and versatile fabric, but every wash can send tiny synthetic fibers into waterways, contributing to microplastic pollution. While we don’t yet have a complete solution to this problem, there are still steps you can take to minimize this shedding and make your laundry routine more eco-friendly.

Understanding how to adjust your washing machine settings can make a big difference in the fight against microfiber pollution. By exploring methods such as using colder water temperatures or shorter wash cycles, you’ll not only protect your clothes but also the environment. With some simple changes to how you care for polyester fabrics, you can reduce the amount of microfibers you release in every load of laundry.

1. Throw in a microfiber catching device

Cora Balls and microfiber filter bags are innovative solutions designed to reduce the amount of microfibers released into water systems during laundry cycles. Research has been conducted to assess the effectiveness of these products.

For instance, a peer-reviewed study mentioned by Forbes found that laundry balls and filters are effective in reducing microfiber pollution. Specifically, the Cora Ball has been shown to reduce microfiber shedding.

Additionally, peer-reviewed studies have shown that the Cora Ball can reduce up to 26% of microfibers that otherwise would flow out of washing machines. This suggests that while it does not catch all fibers, it significantly reduces the amount that could contribute to microfiber pollution.

Laundry bags meant to catch microfibers have been studied less. The main brand that I know of is from a company called Guppy Friend. Initial studies have shown that this bag can prevent 90-95% of microfiber shedding due to its mesh design with microscopic holes. However, I could not find any independent studies verifying this information (though the company making it has asked for independent organizations to test and verify their claims)

2. Use cooler water temperatures

Some studies have suggested that washing at higher temperatures can lead to an increase in microfiber shedding. This is possibly due to the fact that heat can weaken fibers, making them more prone to breakage during the mechanical action of washing.

When you’re tackling laundry, especially with polyester garments, opt for cooler water temperatures. It’s not just about energy savings—turns out, cold water is also gentler on fabrics.

• Lower Temperatures, Less Shedding: Research suggests that a reduced water temperature can lead to a significant decrease in the amount of microfibers that break free during a wash. For example, washing at temperatures around 12°C has been noted to be effective.
  
• Conserving Fabric Integrity: The logic is straightforward: hot water can stress and weaken polyester threads, boosting the odds that they’ll break and join the wash water as unwanted microfiber travelers. Cool water is kinder, helping your clothes maintain their structure.
  

Not only are you curtailing microfiber pollution, you’re also likely to prolong the life of your polyester pieces. Plus, your utility bill might shrink a bit from using less hot water—a pleasant perk. Remember to pair this with other microfiber-reducing tactics, such as using a specially designed washing bag or choosing high-efficiency washers. 

Want to dive into the specifics? Take a look at this study on how microfiber shedding is affected by water temperature, or this one that tested different washing machine settings, including temperature.

3. Wash you clothes less frequently

Wearing your clothes more than once before washing them can significantly reduce microfiber shedding. Each time polyester garments are washed, they release tiny fibers, which contribute to microfiber pollution. By simply waiting a bit longer between washes, you can play a part in minimizing this issue.

• Spot Clean: If a garment isn’t particularly dirty, spot cleaning can help target specific areas without the need to wash the entire piece.
• Air Out: After wearing, give your clothes a good airing instead of tossing them straight into the laundry. This often refreshes them enough for another wear, especially for garments that aren’t directly touching the sweatier areas of our bodies.
• Smell Test: Trust your sense of smell to guide you. If your clothes still smell fresh, they probably are!
• Consider Usage: Redefine what ‘dirty’ means for different types of clothing. Jeans and sweaters may not need frequent washing, while underwear and socks do.

Remember, less frequent washing not only protects the environment but also extends the life of your clothes and saves you time, energy, and water.

4. Avoid thick of fuzzy synthetic fabrics

When you’re picking out clothes, you might want to think twice before grabbing that super soft, fluffy fleece. Thicker and fluffier synthetic fabrics, especially those made from polyester, are notorious for shedding microfibers. 

knit fabrics and fleece are generally more prone to shedding microfibers than woven fabrics. This is due to the structure and construction of the fabrics. Knitted fabrics, which include fleece, tend to have a looser construction with more space between the yarns, which can lead to more fiber loss.

A study on the relationship between textile microplastics shedding found that knitted fabrics shed more microplastics than woven fabrics (NCBI). The study highlights that the physical structure of the fabric influences the amount of microfiber shedding, with knits being more susceptible to this issue.

Wearing and washing chunky sweater and polyester knit clothing less frequently can help in the reduction of microplastic fibers. You can also look into purchasing or making these garments when they are made with other fibers, such as cotton or wool.

5. Install a filter to your washing machine

If you can afford it, it’s also worthwhile to get an external filter for your washing machine. Most washing machines today are not yet equipped with filters that are good enough to catch microplastics. However, you can install one of your own that can significantly reduce the amount of microplastics that make to the waterways.

The Lint LUV-R filter system, for example, was shown to capture about 87% of microplastics from laundry. This is more effective that any other system that has been independently studied. The only problem is that this system is a little expensive and complicated to set up. So it’s not a solution that’s available to everyone.