When You Can, Choose Natural
One of the simplest ways I’ve chosen to reduce my everyday exposure to microplastics is to choose natural fabrics when I can. We spend a huge amount of time surrounded by textiles. Our clothes, bedding, towels and other household fabrics are all around every day. Many modern fabrics are made from synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon, acrylic and fleece. These are essentially plastic-based materials, and they can shed tiny fibres through everyday wear and particularly during washing. These microfibres can become a part of general household dust and be inhaled through the air we breathe in our homes.
For this reason, I've started paying more attention to the fabrics I'm choosing when I buy something new.
What do I choose instead? Where practical, I look for natural fibres such as:
Cotton
Linen
Hemp
Wool
Silk
This isn’t always possible and certainly not something to panic about, but just another way to reduce the overall exposure to microplastics in our homes.
What about the synthetic clothes and other fabrics I already own? I still have them. I don’t suggest to anyone to go through their home and throw out all of their synthetic clothing or bedding. That creates unnecessary waste and isn't a particularly practical approach. Instead, use what you have and make different choices over time.
When something wears out, or when I'm buying something new, I try to choose a natural fibre when it’s possible. Small changes, over time. That’s how to create a healthier home in a slow, sustainable way.