Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 25, 2025
Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
Quantification of different microplastic fibres discharged from textiles in machine wash and tumble drying
Niina Kärkkäinen1, Markus Sillanpää2
1Laboratory Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Mustialankatu 3, FIN-00790, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract:
Microplastic fibres released in synthetic cloth washing have been shown to be a source of microplastics into the environment. The annual emission of polyester fibres from household washing machines has earlier been estimated to be 150,000 kg in a country with a population of 5.5 × 106 (Finland). The objectives of this study were (1) to quantify the emissions of synthetic textile fibres discharged from five sequential machine washes (fibre number and length) and tumble dryings (fibre mass) and (2) to determine the collection efficiency of two commercial fibre traps. The synthetic fabrics were five types of polyester textiles, one polyamide and one polyacryl. The number of fibres released from the test fabrics in the first wash varied in the range from 1.0 × 105 to 6.3 × 106 kg-1. The fibre lengths showed that the fleece fabrics released, on average, longer fibres than the technical sports t-shirts. The mass of fibres ranged from 10 to 1700 mg/kg w/w in the first drying. Fibre emissions showed a decreasing trend both in sequential washes and dryings. The ratio of the fibre emissions in machine wash to tumble drying varied between the fabrics: the ratio was larger than one to polyester and polyamide technical t-shirts whereas it was much lower to the other tested textiles. GuppyFriend washing bag and Cora Ball trapped 39% and 10% of the polyester fibres discharged in washings, respectively.
Insights
Synthetic textiles release microplastic fibers during washing and drying. Commercial traps capture some fibers, but effectiveness varies, highlighting the need for better solutions to reduce plastic pollution from clothing.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Textile Engineering
Background:
- Washing synthetic textiles releases microplastic fibers into the environment.
- Previous estimates suggest significant annual polyester fiber emissions from household laundry.
Purpose of the Study:
- Quantify synthetic textile fiber emissions during washing and drying.
- Evaluate the efficiency of two commercial microplastic fiber collection devices.
Main Methods:
- Tested five polyester, one polyamide, and one polyacryl fabric through five sequential machine washes and tumble dryings.
- Measured fiber number, length, and mass emissions.
- Assessed the collection efficiency of GuppyFriend washing bags and Cora Balls.
Main Results:
- Fiber emissions varied significantly by fabric type and washing/drying cycle.
- Fleece fabrics released longer fibers than technical t-shirts.
- GuppyFriend bags captured 39% and Cora Balls captured 10% of polyester fibers during washing.
Conclusions:
- Fiber emissions decrease with sequential washes and dryings.
- Collection efficiency of fiber traps is fabric-dependent.
- Further development of effective microplastic capture technologies is needed.
