What the heck is a microfiber filter is what I’m sure most wonder when they see those two words. I know I was in that boat myself when they first started hitting the markets. So what are they? Well, we first need to understand what their purpose is. That purpose is to reduce microfiber pollution. Wait, Shelbi, what is microfiber pollution? Much of our clothing is made from synthetic fibers such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon because of their affordability, durability, and accessibility. (You can learn more about how it all works in this video.) However, when clothing made with these synthetic fibers are manufactured, washed, and worn, many tiny fibers fall out of your clothing and end up in the environment. These plastic microfibers are not biodegradable whatsoever. But did you know that 35% of the primary plastic polluting oceans comes from the microfibers washed off of products made with synthetic fibers? This is because the microfibers that fall out during laundry day cannot be filtered out at wastewater treatment plants. So how do we decrease the amount of microfibers released? We use microfiber filters on laundry day! While it’s inevitable that the fibers will fall out while wearing clothing, we can at least help eliminate one source of microfiber pollution. Here’s a list of some fantastic microfiber filters!
Girlfriend Collective sells a microfiber filter that actually attaches to your washing machine to help catch these fibers before they hit the water streams. This filter is made of polypropylene which is a very heavy duty plastic that is able to handle high temperatures. It comes with a mesh steel filter to help capture these microfibers. Simply clean out the filter every three loads and dispose of the fibers in a sealed trash bag. Girlfriend Collective also prides themselves in having one of the most affordable microfiber filters on the market, selling their for only $45!
If you’re having a bit of trouble finding a filter to fit your washing machine or want to increase the methods you use to catch these microfibers? Invest in a Cora Microfiber Laundry Ball! This ball works by trapping microfibers in its spindles. All you have to do is toss it in your washer! Cleanup is super easy too since all you have to do is pinch off the visibly seen tangles of fibers and dispose of them properly! This microfiber ball is made from 100% recycled plastic and will last you years!
Some in-laundry microfiber filters can be a bit harsh on delicates as they can get trapped. But don’t worry! This washing bag by Guppyfriend is also very effective in helping to eliminate micropollution in the wash. Simply pop your clothing into the bag and wash like normal! Whatever fibers break off will get caught in bag making it super easy for disposal!
This is a reusable microfilter that attaches to the discharge hose on your laundry machine. Not only does it catch microfibers, but it catches hair, sand, and even pet fur!
Lint LUV-R Washing Machine Discharge Filter
Similar to other microfilters, this filter also helps catch microfibers. However, this has a stainless steel construction versus plastic construction of the others. It also does not have any awkard hose connections.
This filter is made by PlanetCare which is a European based company. Their filters come with reusable filter cartridges. They have a return and re-use program for their filter cartridges! Simply change out your cartridge after 20 washes and send it back to the company. You don’t even have to clean the fibers out of the cartridge! They will professionally remove it and dispose of it properly!
What did you do with your girl friend collective one when you changed brands?
I recently learned that water treatment plants already do the job of filtering microfibers and plastics out before releasing them back into the ocean. (At least in my area) So are these products really necessary when the collective water waste gets filtered altogether?
What does “dispose of them properly” mean? I see this written every time when reading explanations about plastic microfiber pollution, but never an explanation. It just seems that tossing them into general trash just lets them pollute soil directly (although I haven’t seen any research in this direction it doesn’t seem too far fetched that the presence of plastic microfibers in the soil could also cause for those ecosystems) and water in a more roundabout manner. Thank you for being such a wonderful source of information!