Microfibres from washing, what we know

Short answer: All textiles shed small fibres in the wash. The amount depends on the material, the age of the fabric and how hard the machine works. There is quite a lot you can do to reduce it.

All fabrics shed fibres

Whether a fabric is made from natural or synthetic fibres, it releases small pieces when washed. Water, heat and the movement of the drum pull loose fibre ends out of the yarn. This is completely normal and happens to every garment you own. So the question is not whether it happens, but how much, and what makes the amount rise or fall.

New garments shed the most

The first five to ten washes release far more fibres than later ones, because loose fibre ends from production are rinsed out early on. After that, the amount drops. This also applies to new bamboo undershirts for men and anything else that is new. It is not a sign of poor quality, just a natural phase.

Mechanical stress increases shedding

High spin speeds and a packed drum tear more fibres loose. When clothes rub hard against other clothes and the drum, the surface wears and more ends come free. Use a gentle cycle with room in the drum, also when you wash socks for men. Small items otherwise get knocked about between larger pieces.

The material plays a part

Different materials behave differently in the wash. Some fibres are short and slip out of the yarn easily, while longer ones stay put. The way a fabric is knitted or woven also matters. A dense, smooth fabric holds its fibres better than a loose, brushed one. That is why two items in the same load can shed very different amounts.

Wash cooler

Heat makes fibres more mobile and increases wear on the fabric. Washing cooler keeps the yarn together and fewer ends come loose. For everyday clothes a low temperature is often plenty, since they are rarely very dirty. It also protects colours and fit, so your clothes last longer and keep looking good for more seasons.

Fill the machine halfway

A half full machine gives clothes room to move without being pressed hard against other items. That reduces friction and therefore the number of fibres pulled loose. Washing fewer items may feel wasteful, but for delicate fabrics it is a sensible choice, especially for the soft clothes you wear close to your skin.

Use a low spin

The spin is where clothes face the strongest forces. Lowering the speed leaves them slightly wetter but treats them more gently. Hang them to dry afterwards. A gentle cycle with a low spin reduces shedding from everything in the men's range, and the soft surface of the fabric lasts longer.

What we do not know yet

There are many studies on fibres from washing, but the figures vary widely. Methods differ, and results depend on machine, cycle and fabric. That makes it hard to say exactly how much one wash releases. What we do know is the direction: new clothes, heat and rough handling mean more fibres, gentle washing means fewer.

Frequently asked questions

Do all fabrics shed fibres

Yes, both natural and synthetic fabrics shed fibres in the wash, but in different amounts depending on material, age and washing method.

How much does one wash release

It varies a lot, and figures in studies range widely because machines, cycles and fabrics differ from test to test.

Does a laundry bag help

Some bags catch part of the fibres, but the effect varies. A bag also protects clothes from wear in the drum.