Gentle wash cycles could reduce your microplastic habit by 70%, finds B.C. lab

[OnlinePoker]

New research from a Vancouver laboratory has found setting your washing machine to its gentle wash cycle can lower the shedding of microscopic plastic particles by 70 per cent. 

In a report released Tuesday, nearly two dozen researchers and technical experts came together from Patagonia, Samsung and Ocean Wise to assess how synthetic clothing sheds microfibres when passed through the wash, rinse and spin cycles. 

“It’s a really significant problem,” said Charlie Cox, Ocean Wise’s manager of microplastics solutions. “Synthetic textiles are the main source of microplastic pollution in the ocean.”

https://www.timescolonist.com/life/gentle-wash-cycles-could-reduce-your-microplastic-habit-by-70-finds-bc-lab-6123545

[3catwoman3]

1. Useful info.

Thnx.

[GreenWave]

2. I thought they were blaming fish for nibbling...

This is a good way to help.

[Backseat Driver]

3. I tend to use the "hand wash" cycle with my HE top-load washer.

Seems to add a bit more water than when I just choose "normal" which just makes stuff barely wet with lots of friction. "Deep water" is usually too much water except for heavier floor rugs or many pair of jeans or bath towels. There's also a choice for bulky stuff that doesn't mix up very well but aren't necessarily very heavy, like queen sheets. I also switched to an eco-friendly fragrance-free laundry strip product subscription for most loads as well using "wooly balls" in the dryer. I find no need for anyone along the line to lift heavy boxes or jugs or take up large amounts of space all the distribution/end user chain or all those chemicals in dryer sheets.

Having more trouble remembering to take my reusable bags into the grocery, LOL.

[JudyM]

6. Going to try that!

[cbabe]

4. White vinegar: no scent. No cloth damage. Inexpensive.

https://www.wikihow.com › Add-Vinegar-to-Laundry

How to Add Vinegar to Laundry: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Jun 15, 2022

Keep your clothes clean with vinegar. Pour 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar into your washing machine instead of the detergent you would normally use. This will clean your clothes without the use of the harsh chemicals found in many commercial laundry detergents. [1] 2 Use vinegar as a fabric softener. Get 1 cup of white distilled vinegar ready.

(Tip: vinegar is a food so can be bought with snap unlike soaps and detergents.)

[JudyM]

5. This is great news, needs more DU eyes.

Consider cross posting in GD?