Your Laundry Routine Has a Microplastics Problem—But a Few Simple Changes Can Fix It

Microplastics are so widespread that they’ve been found everywhere from oceans and farmland to human blood and lungs. But for many households, one of the biggest sources of microplastic pollution is something far more ordinary: laundry day.

Every wash cycle and dryer load can release thousands of tiny synthetic fibers into the environment, especially from clothes made with polyester, nylon and acrylic.

For people trying to figure out how to avoid microplastics, the good news is that small changes can make a real difference.

How laundry spreads microplastics into the environment

Laundry-related microplastics don’t just disappear once they leave the washer or dryer. They spread through water, soil and air in multiple ways.

Water. Washing machines release tiny synthetic fibers into wastewater, and treatment plants can’t catch them all, allowing many to enter rivers, lakes and oceans. In some places, reused wastewater can also spread fibers onto crops and soil.

Soil. Fibers captured during treatment often end up in fertilizer used on farmland, while dryer lint in landfills can spread fibers into nearby soil. Wind can carry those fibers even farther.

Air. Dryer vents also release fibers into the air, and indoor air contains elevated levels from handling and drying synthetic clothes. Researchers have even detected microfibers in remote Arctic and mountain regions.

How to avoid microplastics when washing clothes

An average three-pound load of laundry will shed hundreds of thousands of microfibers into the sewer system, according to Columbia Climate School’s State of the Planet.

Changing the way you wash your clothes can have a huge impact on the environment. Here are a few ways to reduce your microplastic footprint:

• Wash clothes in cold water on shorter cycles, as recommended by the National Park Service.
• Only wash full loads to reduce friction between fabrics.
• Skip extra rinse cycles, which release more fibers into wastewater.
• Wash clothes less often when possible and spot clean between washes.
• Use a front-loading machine if you can since they’re gentler on fabrics than top-loaders.
• Avoid the “gentle” cycle because it often runs longer and sheds more fibers.
• Install a washing machine filter for microplastics on the drain line. One 2018 study found some filters captured about 87% of fibers.
• Use mesh laundry bags like the Guppyfriend or in-drum catchers like the Cora Ball for synthetic clothing.
• Choose laundry detergent without microplastics when possible.
• Lower-impact options include refill stations, detergent bars and cardboard-packaged detergents.

“We believe that the laundering of clothes and the effluents that are released from washing machines are the biggest source of microplastic fibers in our waterways,” says Joaquim Goes, an ocean biochemist at Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

How to reduce microfiber pollution when drying clothes

Dryers are another major source of airborne microfibers. A 2025 study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found that dryer loads release roughly 138 milligrams of microfibers per cycle, totaling more than 3,500 tons of microplastics each year.

To reduce shedding during drying:

• Hang dry clothes whenever possible to avoid heat and friction.
• If using a dryer, use lower heat settings and shorter cycles.
• Clean the lint filter after every load.
• Install an outdoor lint trap on the dryer vent.
• Use wool dryer balls instead of disposable dryer sheets.

Together, these small changes can significantly cut down on the number of microfibers released into the air during drying — while also helping clothes last longer and reducing overall household waste.

Buy clothes that shed fewer microplastics

The type of clothing you buy matters too. Polyester, nylon, acrylic and elastane are all plastic-based fabrics that release microfibers over time. Acrylic, commonly used in sweaters and blankets, is considered one of the worst shedders.

To reduce microfiber pollution at the source:

• Choose natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, hemp, silk and wool.
• Avoid fuzzy polyester fleece when possible.
• Look for tightly woven fabrics, which tend to shed less.
• Check for GOTS or OEKO-TEX certifications to avoid added chemicals.
• Buy secondhand clothing since older garments have already shed many loose fibers.

Laundry may feel like a small part of daily life, but it plays a surprisingly large role in the spread of microplastics. The encouraging part is that reducing your impact doesn’t require giving up modern conveniences completely.

A few smarter choices—from buying better fabrics to using a washing machine filter for microplastics—can help cut down on the fibers entering waterways, soil and air. And for people concerned about microplastics in water and the environment, these small changes are a meaningful place to start.