What You Wear, You Share: Microplastics and Clothing

Every time we wash our clothes, we might be doing more than just cleaning them; we could also be releasing thousands of microplastic fibers into the environment. It sounds surprising, but the connection between our wardrobes and pollution is real, and it starts with what our clothes are made of.

Most activewear, fleece, and even some soft "blended" fabrics are made from synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic. These materials don’t break down like natural fibers do. Instead, they shed tiny plastic particles, microplastics, into our wastewater systems during each wash. Many of these fibers bypass filtration systems and end up in rivers, oceans, and even the air we breathe.

So why does it matter?

Microplastics have been found in sea salt, drinking water, and even inside human lungs and placentas. Their small size makes them easy to inhale or ingest, and while research is still emerging, there's growing concern about how they affect human health and ecosystems.

What You Can Do:

• Choose natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, or Tencel when possible.

• Wash synthetic clothes less often and on cold, gentle cycles.

• Use a microfiber filter (like a washing machine filter) to catch fibers before they go down the drain.

• Buy less, choose well—thrifting and wearing what you already own is a powerful first step.

Our clothing has the power to either pollute or protect. By making small shifts in how we shop, wash, and wear, we can help reduce the invisible footprint of fashion.