How to Help Prevent Microplastic Pollution

Synthetic garments release plastic particles, especially during washing. These particles end up in the wastewater and cannot be filtered out effectively.

From the wastewater, the microplastic particles end up in the sea, accumulate toxins and are ingested by fish and other marine life. The plastic from our clothes eventually ends up on our plates and can be harmful to us.

"#1 WASH BETTER" offers ten simple washing tips to help you change your washing habits and reduce the microplastic pollution of oceans by using filters the microfibres that do break and doesn’t lose any fibres itself. It’s a daily reminder to change our buying habits and washing rituals.

• WASH LESS: Frequent washing wastes energy and harms our waters. Air out your clothes and wash stains out by hand instead.
• DON'T TUMBLE DRY: The mechanical force inside a tumble dryer is one of the main culprits of microplastic pollution. Synthetic clothes dry fast, so air dry your clothes instead. If you have to use a dryer, make sure to filter the condensed water.
• USE GUPPYFRIEND: The Guppyfriend Washing Bag protects garments and filters out microplastic fibers from synthetic textiles, preventing them from polluting our precious waters.
• WASH USING COLDER TEMPERATURES: Wash colors at 40°C/ 104°F and bed linen at 60°C/140°F. In the vast majority of cases, 30°C/86°F is also enough. Avoid high temperatures to protect your fibres. Washing at colder temperatures is also better for the environment.
• BUY LESS, WASH LESS: What clothes do you really need? When purchasing clothes, make sure they’re of high quality and durable. Take care of your clothes and recycle them if you don’t need them anymore. Every additional clothing purchase has a negative impact on our oceans.
• USE SHORTER WASH CYCLES: The longer the wash cycle, the more fibre breakage. All washing machines have short wash cycle programs.
• USE PLASTIC-FREE DETERGENTS: Washing powder often contains liquid polymers and mineral abrasives that increase friction during washing and lead to more fiber breakage. Look for a detergent without these ingredients and don’t use more than necessary. This way, you protect your clothes and the environment.
• DON'T WASH SHOES: Anything solid that’s washed with your clothes leads to significantly more fibers breaking away. Avoid washing items such as shoes and shin guards. Using washing balls and soap nuts can also result in more plastic in the ocean.
• REDUCE SPIN CYCLE SPEED: The spin cycle causes a lot of friction in the drum. Synthetic textiles dry fast, so skip the spin cycle or reduce the rpm (rotation per minute).
• SEPARATE HARD AND SOFT TEXTILES: If you stop washing jeans and fleece items in the same wash load, you’ll reduce wash-related microplastic pollution.

Shop Guppyfriend Washing Bags in the EW shop to keep your capsule wardrobe garments in perfect shape and reduce water pollution.