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Laundry microfibres: wash filters, settings and fabrics compared

Synthetic clothes shed tiny fibres in every wash. Here is what the research says about catching them, from wash bags to built-in filters.

2 October 2026 · 8 min read

A white front-loading washing machine

Chetanya Goel · Founder & Editor

Chetanya started Annam Naturals after two years of keeping a household waste diary. Chetanya writes about the boring, repeatable habits that hold up in a real week.

Washing synthetic clothes is one of the main ways microplastic fibres reach rivers and seas. Wastewater treatment catches a lot of them, but those fibres then end up in sludge that is often spread on fields. And in many places, washing machine water goes straight into drains. That is why fibre-catching products have moved from niche to mainstream, and why France has required filters on new washing machines.

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Three ways to catch fibres

Wash bags

You put synthetic clothes in a fine mesh bag before washing. The bag catches fibres that shed and also reduces friction, so less shedding happens in the first place. You remove the fibres from the bag's seams by hand and bin them. Bags are cheap and need no installation, but they only help with the clothes you remember to put in them.

Balls and loose catchers

These tumble in the drum and snag fibres. Independent tests have generally found them less effective than bags or external filters, though they are easy to use.

External or built-in filters

An external filter fits on the outflow hose and catches fibres from every load. Studies have found these among the most effective options, often catching the majority of fibres. They cost more and need space next to the machine and regular cleaning. Some new machines now include a built-in filter.

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Settings that reduce shedding

  • Full loads, which mean less rubbing between items
  • Cooler water and shorter cycles
  • Lower spin speeds
  • Liquid detergent instead of powder
  • Skipping the dryer where possible, since dryers also shed fibres

Fabrics

Fleece and cheap, loosely knit synthetics tend to shed the most, especially in the first few washes. Tightly woven fabrics shed less. Natural fibres like cotton and wool shed too, but those fibres break down rather than persisting as plastic.

This is not a reason to throw out synthetic clothes, which would create far more waste. It is a reason to wash them more gently and choose differently when you next buy.

What we would do

Start with settings, which cost nothing. Add a wash bag for fleeces and activewear. If you do a lot of laundry and have space, an external filter is the most thorough option. Whichever you choose, put the collected fluff in the bin, not down the sink.

For more of this kind of testing, the eco-friendly product guides hub collects everything we've tried in that area.

Frequently asked

Do I need to buy anything to get started?

No. Every method here begins with what is already in your cupboards. We only recommend a purchase when something has genuinely worn out, and we say what it should cost.

How do you test the things you write about?

Minimum four weeks of ordinary household use, with notes. For anything involving energy or money we use a plug-in meter and record the readings before and after.

Are your recommendations paid for?

Never. Brands cannot buy placement. Some outbound links are affiliate links, which we mark, and they do not change what makes the list.

What if a method doesn't work in my home?

Write to us. A surprising amount of our best material comes from readers explaining why something failed in a flat, a shared house or a very cold winter.

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