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Slippery fabric finish cuts microplastic pollution
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Researchers at the University of Toronto developed hydrophilic and hydrophobic fabric finishes designed to reduce friction between synthetic fibers during laundering and wear, targeting the primary mechanism by which nylon and polyester textiles shed microplastic fibers into wastewater. The treated fabrics retained comparable comfort to uncoated textiles and maintained wash durability, offering a source-reduction strategy against the estimated 500,000 metric tonnes of microfibers entering oceans annually from synthetic clothing.
Nylon and polyester fabrics are a major cause of microplastic pollution. Around 500,000 metric tons of microfibers released from synthetic clothes during laundry ends up in the oceans every year. New fabric finishes that reduce friction could thwart the formation of these microfibers. The finishes can be water-wicking or water-repellent, depending on the properties needed for performance wear. The coated textiles remain as comfortable as traditional fabrics and can be laundered. When fabrics are worn or washed, individual fibers rub against each other and break, releasing pieces less than 500 µm in length. Some large synthetic apparel companies are trying to address this problem, mainly by focusing on consumer laundry habits or promoting washing machine filters that trap microfibers. “We want to stop creating microfibers in the first place,” said Kevin Golovin , a mechanical and industrial engineering professor at the University of Toronto. He and his colleagues are doing
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Modified polyamide fibers with low surface friction coefficient to reduce microplastics emission during domestic laundry
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Researchers developed a modified polyamide fiber that sheds 60% fewer microplastic particles during washing by incorporating a silicone-based compound that lowers surface friction. The fibers maintained good physical properties including strength and water resistance, making them practical for textile manufacturing. The study offers a promising engineering approach to reducing one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution entering waterways from household laundry.
Liquidlike, Low‐Friction Polymer Brushes for Microfibre Release Prevention from Textiles
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Researchers developed a polymer brush coating strategy that practically eliminates microfiber release from synthetic textiles during washing. The study demonstrates that applying liquid-like, low-friction coatings to fibers significantly reduces the mechanical abrasion that causes millions of microplastic fibers to shed into wastewater.
Sustainable Approaches in Textile Finishing to Control Microfiber Releases
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This review examines sustainable textile finishing approaches designed to reduce microfiber releases from synthetic fabrics. Researchers discuss various treatment methods that can minimize the shedding of microplastic fibers during washing and use, addressing one of the major sources of microplastic pollution entering waterways.
How Low-Friction Coatings Affect Microplastic Fiber Release When Laundering Coated and Uncoated Textiles Together
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Researchers tested whether low-friction silicone coatings on polyester fabrics could reduce microplastic fiber release during laundering, including when coated and uncoated fabrics are washed together. They found that the coating reduced overall fiber release by up to 37%, with the effect depending on the orientation of coated versus uncoated fabrics. The study suggests that low-friction textile finishes could be a practical strategy for reducing microplastic pollution from laundry.
A review on microplastic emission from textile materials and its reduction techniques
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Researchers reviewed how synthetic textile fibers — tiny plastic threads released from clothes during washing, drying, and wearing — are a major source of microplastic pollution, entering waterways and food chains through seafood, salt, and drinking water. They identify fabric type, detergent, and washing conditions as key factors affecting fiber release, and propose textile finishing and regulatory strategies to reduce emissions.
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