Yes, synthetic clothes shed plastic microfibers, and laundry is one of the single biggest sources of microplastic pollution. Polyester, nylon, and acrylic are made from plastic, and they release tiny fibers as you wear and especially as you wash them. The good news is this is one of the easier exposures to cut, through fabric choices and a few laundry changes.
Key takeaways
– Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and elastane are plastic; they shed microfibers with friction and washing.
– A single wash load can release hundreds of thousands of fibers; washing is the biggest release point.
– Natural fibers, washing cold and less often, and a laundry filter or bag cut shedding the most.
Why clothes shed plastic
Most modern clothing, especially activewear, is made from petroleum-based synthetic fibers. The mechanical agitation, heat, and friction of a washing machine break tiny threads off the fabric, and you also shed fibers just by wearing and moving in synthetics. A widely cited University of Plymouth study estimated a typical 6 kilogram wash of synthetics can release around 700,000 microfibers (Napper and Thompson, 2016), and a 2024 review confirmed textiles are a primary source of microplastic pollution, with washing the main release route (Akyildiz et al., 2024).
Which clothes shed the most
Loosely woven and fuzzy synthetics like fleece tend to shed more than tightly woven fabrics. Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex/elastane are the materials to watch on a label. Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, hemp, wool, and silk do not shed plastic, though some “natural” garments are blended with synthetics, so it is worth checking the tag.
How to cut the shedding
Choose natural fibers for the clothes closest to your skin and your most-washed items. Wash less and wash cold on a shorter, gentler cycle, and air out garments instead of laundering after every wear. Filter the fibers with a washing-machine microfiber filter or a wash bag like a Guppyfriend; a University of Toronto test found an aftermarket filter captured about 87 percent of microfibers. Skip the dryer where you can, since heat and tumbling increase shedding.
A note on wearing, not just washing
Research suggests you also release fibers simply by wearing synthetics, which then end up in indoor air and dust. That connects clothing to what you breathe at home, so natural fibers help on both fronts. For the air side, see our guide on where microplastics travel and the broader how to avoid microplastics checklist.
FAQ
Can you get microplastics from wearing clothes?
Yes. Synthetic clothing sheds plastic microfibers not only in the wash but also as you wear and move in it. Those fibers enter the air and dust around you, so wearing synthetics adds to both environmental pollution and what you breathe indoors.
What clothing has the most microplastics?
Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex/elastane are the biggest sources, since they are plastic. Loosely woven or fuzzy items like fleece shed more than tightly woven ones. Natural fibers like cotton, linen, hemp, and wool do not shed plastic.
How do I stop my clothes shedding microplastics?
Choose natural fibers, wash synthetics in cold water on a gentle, shorter cycle, wash them less often, and use a washing-machine microfiber filter or a fiber-catching wash bag. Skipping the dryer also reduces shedding.
Does a microfiber laundry filter actually work?
Yes. In a University of Toronto test, an aftermarket washing-machine filter captured about 87 percent of microfibers before they reached the water. Fiber-catching bags and balls help too, though usually less than a dedicated filter.
Are natural fabrics really the solution?
For microplastics, largely yes, since cotton, linen, hemp, wool, and silk do not shed plastic. Watch for blends that mix natural fibers with polyester or elastane, and check labels, because a “cotton” item can still contain synthetics.
The bottom line
Your synthetic wardrobe sheds plastic every time you wear and wash it, and laundry is a leading source of microplastic pollution. Lean toward natural fibers, wash cold and less, add a fiber filter, and you remove most of the clothing-related plastic with little effort.
