CLEAN LAUNDRY, DIRTY OCEAN!
Every year, Europeans do around 36 billion loads of washing and most of it contains synthetic clothes, releasing up to 9 million non-degradable fibers each load into the wastewater. Most of these fibers slip undetected through wastewater treatment plants and out to the sea.
Around 60% of our clothing consists of synthetic materials or a mix of natural and synthetic fabrics. Synthetic materials include polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, spandex, polyamide & others.
Make sure you check out the original list at https://www.oceancleanwash.org
Fill the entire washing machine up
When the machine is filled with clothes, there is less frictional resistance between the pieces of clothing and therefore the clothes do not give off as many fibers.
Use liquid soap instead of washing powder
The small grains in washing powder are harder on the clothes than liquid soap, and therefore fewer fibers are washed out when using liquid soap.
Wash at low temperature
High temperatures can damage the fibers in the clothing, and can help the clothes give off fibers.
Avoid long washes
The longer you wash, the more times your clothes rub against each other, creating friction that tears the fibers apart.
Dry your clothes at low speed in the dryer
High revolutions create friction between the clothing and result in many lost fibers.
Use the clothesline
Use the clothesline when the weather permits. You will save 2-3 kWh per wash and your clothes will give off fewer fibers.
Avoid buying clothes made of synthetic material
Go for clothes made of wool, cotton, linen, silk, cashmere or other natural materials.
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