If you wear a lot of synthetic clothing, you’re probably contributing to microfiber pollution every time you wash it. Microfibers are plastic fibres that are less than 5 millimetres in length. When we wash synthetic fabrics, these microfibers shed and are rinsed down the drain with the wastewater, contributing to the global problem of microplastic contamination. However, there are practical steps we can take to minimise the release of microplastics from our laundry and play our part in protecting the environment.
What are Microplastics?
Microplastics are incredibly tiny bits of plastic waste collection that have been released into the environment as a result of the dumping and degradation of consumer goods and industrial waste. Some microplastics, such as the industrial abrasives used in sandblasting and the microbeads in cosmetic cleansers, have been purposefully manufactured small.
How to Reduce Microplastics in Laundry
These are the ways you can easily reduce microplastics in Laundry.
1. Use a Front-loading Washing Machine
Front-loading washing machines capture microplastics more effectively than top-loading washers. This is due to the fact that front-loading washing machines use gravity to pull water and microplastics downward, but top-loading machines shake the water, resulting in more fibres being released. Choose a front-loading machine if you have the choice for a more eco-friendly laundry routine.
2. Full Loads of Laundry
Washing full loads of clothes not only saves natural resources, but it also helps to limit the amount of microplastic produced. When the washing machine is full, the water has less room to move against the fabric, resulting in fewer fibres being liberated. If you only need to wash a small load, choose a lower water level setting to reduce vibration.
3. Use a Microfiber Catcher
A Microfiber catcher is an excellent way to trap microplastics. These little gadgets, which are inserted in the washing machine, operate as filters, catching microfibers before they enter the water system. On the market, you can get everything from specially designed laundry balls to mesh bags. Using a microfiber catcher across each wash can drastically minimise the amount of small plastic waste released by microplastics.
4. Choose Natural Fibres
When shopping for clothing, choose natural fibres such as cotton, linen, and hemp over synthetic textiles. Natural fibres degrade more easily and produce less microplastic throughout the washing process. Furthermore, natural fibres are usually more sustainable and easily biodegradable, making them a better choice for the environment as a whole.
5. Reduce Washing Frequency
Reduced washing frequency is another excellent technique to prevent microplastics in laundry. Although this may not be possible for all clothing items, particular items, such as jeans, and sweaters, can frequently be worm numerous times before needing to be washed. You can significantly reduce the number of microplastics released into the environment by wearing clothes a few extra times before washing.
Conclusion
Reducing microplastics in laundry is a critical step that we can all take to safeguard the environment. You can dramatically limit the amount of microplastic discharged during the laundry process by following these tips. We hope this article will help you to reduce microplastics in laundry.