Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Analysis of Microplastics Released from Plain Woven Classified by Yarn Types during Washing and Drying

Researchers analyzed microplastic release from plain woven fabrics classified by yarn type during washing and drying cycles, finding that yarn composition significantly influenced the quantity and characteristics of shed microplastic fibers. The study aims to identify fabric types that release fewer microplastics to reduce textile-derived microplastic emissions to wastewater.

2021 Polymers 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of textile composition, structure, and treatment on microplastic release during washing: a review

This review analyzed how textile composition, yarn structure, and fabric treatment affect microplastic release during washing, finding that natural and blended fabrics often shed more microfibers than pure synthetics. Woven fabrics released fewer microplastics than knitted structures, and finishing treatments also influenced shedding rates.

2024 Textile Research Journal 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microfiber Release to Water, Via Laundering, and to Air, via Everyday Use: A Comparison between Polyester Clothing with Differing Textile Parameters

Researchers measured microfiber release from polyester garments into both wash water and air during everyday wear, finding that release into air was comparable to or exceeded laundry release and was influenced by fabric structure, yarn type, and twist level.

2020 Environmental Science & Technology 404 citations
Article Tier 2

Laundering and textile parameters influence fibers release in household washings

Laboratory washing experiments showed that the release of synthetic microfibers from textiles is influenced by both laundering parameters (water volume, wash cycle) and fabric characteristics (yarn structure, weave type). Understanding these factors can help design more fiber-retaining fabrics and washing machines to reduce microfiber pollution in wastewater.

2019 Environmental Pollution 192 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of ring, airjet and rotor spun yarn structures on the fragmented fibers (microplastics) released from polyester textiles during laundering

This study tested whether the type of yarn structure used in polyester fabrics affects how many microplastic fibers are shed during washing. Fabrics made from airjet and rotor yarns released 28% and 33% less fiber mass, respectively, than those made from the more common ring-spun yarn, and they shed shorter fiber fragments. Since textile washing is one of the major routes for microplastics entering wastewater, this finding suggests that changing yarn manufacturing processes could meaningfully reduce textile microplastic pollution at the source.

2023 Textile Research Journal 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Reducing microfiber release from polyester fabrics through optimization of spinning process parameters

Researchers identified yarn hairiness — the tiny fibers sticking out from a thread — as the primary driver of microfiber release from polyester fabrics during washing, and showed that selecting the right spinning method (Siro compact spinning) at manufacturing can reduce microplastic shedding by minimizing those protruding fibers at the source.

2025 Fashion and Textiles
Article Tier 2

A review of the current status of microfiber pollution research in textiles

This review synthesizes research on microfiber shedding from textiles, examining how fiber properties (length, diameter, twist, surface treatment) influence how much a fabric sheds during laundering. Microfibers from textile washing are one of the largest sources of microplastic fiber pollution in wastewater and aquatic environments globally.

2020 International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of Microplastics Emissions from Fabrics with Different Designs by Laundering

This study (in Japanese) examined how the design of polyester fabric — including yarn type and fabric structure — affects the release of microplastic fibers during washing. Continuous filament yarn released 42–45% fewer microplastic fibers than staple yarn, and fabric washed without softener released 22–25% fewer fibers than softener-treated fabric.

2023 Japanese Journal of JSCE
Article Tier 2

Study on the Relationship between Textile Microplastics Shedding and Fabric Structure

Researchers investigated the relationship between textile fabric structure and microplastic shedding during washing, finding that fabric type, weave pattern, and mechanical stress significantly influence the number of microfibers released.

2022 Polymers 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Preliminary study of weave pattern influence on microplastics from fabric laundering

A preliminary study examined how fabric weave pattern affects the release of microplastic fibers from textiles during laundering. Different weave structures produced varying amounts of fiber release, suggesting that fabric design choices can influence the quantity of microplastics discharged to wastewater systems.

2020 Textile Research Journal 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastics release from polyester fabrics: The impact of different washing conditions

Researchers assessed microplastic fiber release from polyester and polyamide fabrics during simulated washing, finding that fabric construction, fiber type, and washing conditions all influenced the quantity of fibers released. The study provides data to help quantify the contribution of laundry to microplastic emissions in wastewater.

2020 Environmental Pollution 147 citations
Article Tier 2

Textile Fiber Pollution:Relating Textile Featuresto Fiber Release in Pilling Experiments

Researchers evaluated the contribution of physical, dynamic, and thermomechanical textile properties to microfiber release susceptibility in pilling experiments, finding that fiber nature, dimensional features, and mechanical properties collectively determine a textile's propensity to shed microplastic fibers.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Domestic laundry and microfiber pollution: Exploring fiber shedding from consumer apparel textiles

Researchers measured microfiber shedding from a range of consumer apparel textiles during simulated laundry cycles, finding that fiber release varied substantially by fabric type, construction, and wash conditions, with polyester fleece releasing the most microfibers per wash.

2021 PLoS ONE 144 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification and morphological characterization of microfibers emitted from textile washing

Textile microfibers released during washing machine cycles were quantified and characterized, with the study finding that fiber type, fabric construction, and wash conditions all influenced emission quantities. The results confirm textile washing as a significant and ongoing source of microplastic fiber pollution in wastewater.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of microplastic release caused by textile washing processes of synthetic fabrics

This study evaluated microplastic fiber release caused by washing synthetic fabrics, finding that washing processes generate substantial quantities of microfibers and that fabric construction affects release rates, with implications for filtering strategies.

2017 Environmental Pollution 686 citations
Article Tier 2

Textile Fiber Pollution: Relating Textile Features to Fiber Release in Pilling Experiments

Researchers evaluated how physical, dynamic, and thermomechanical textile properties influence fiber release during pilling experiments, aiming to identify which fabric characteristics predict microplastic fiber shedding during normal garment wear.

2025 ACS Omega
Article Tier 2

Microfiber release from different fabrics during washing

This study quantified microfiber shedding from polyester, polyamide, and acrylic fabrics during washing, finding that fiber release depended on fabric construction and washing conditions, with up to tens of thousands of fibers released per wash.

2019 Environmental Pollution 249 citations
Article Tier 2

Designing out microplastic pollution released from textiles and apparel during laundering

This study explored source-directed design and manufacturing interventions to reduce microplastic fiber release from synthetic textiles during washing, using standardized wash tests to quantify shedding from fabric surfaces and edges. Structural fabric design modifications were identified as effective strategies to reduce microplastic fiber shedding at the point of manufacture.

2024 Cambridge Prisms Plastics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

The Effect of the Physical and Chemical Properties of Synthetic Fabrics on the Release of Microplastics during Washing and Drying

Researchers investigated how the physical and chemical properties of synthetic fabrics influence microplastic fiber release during washing and drying, finding that fabric construction, fiber type, and surface treatment are key determinants of the quantity and characteristics of released microplastic particles.

2022 Polymers 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of Microplastics Released Based on Polyester Fabric Construction during Washing and Drying

Researchers characterized microplastic fiber release from polyester fabrics during washing and drying, finding that fabric construction type significantly influences fiber shedding rates, with looser fabric structures releasing substantially more microplastic fibers per wash cycle.

2021 Polymers 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification of microfibre release from textiles during domestic laundering

Researchers developed a reliable method for quantifying microfibre release from domestic laundering, finding that fabric characteristics had a greater influence on release than wash settings, and estimated UK annual domestic microfibre emissions between 7,300 and 36,100 tonnes depending on assumptions.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 39 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantifying shedding of synthetic fibers from textiles; a source of microplastics released into the environment

Researchers quantified the shedding of synthetic fibers from textiles during simulated washing, finding that fabric type, age, and wash conditions significantly affected fiber release, and establishing a quantitative basis for estimating textile-derived microplastic inputs.

2017 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 590 citations
Article Tier 2

Polyester Textiles as a Source of Microplastics from Households: A Mechanistic Study to Understand Microfiber Release During Washing

Researchers conducted a mechanistic study of microplastic fiber shedding from polyester textiles in household washing machines, identifying wash temperature, spin speed, and detergent type as key variables affecting fiber release rates.

2017 Environmental Science & Technology 744 citations
Article Tier 2

Fibrous Microplastics Release from Textile Production Phases: A Brief Review of Current Challenges and Applied Research Directions

This review examines how microplastic fibers are shed during various stages of textile production, from spinning and weaving to dyeing and finishing. Researchers found that fibrous microplastics account for roughly half to 70% of all microplastics found in global wastewater, primarily originating from synthetic fabric manufacturing and household laundering. The study identifies gaps in current knowledge and explores recycling technologies and regulatory approaches that could help reduce textile microplastic pollution.

2025 Materials 15 citations