The Closet
Most clothes today are made from plastic. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon and acrylic shed tiny plastic microfibers every time you wash and dry them, which is one of the biggest sources of microplastics in the environment. Here is what to look for and the natural swaps and simple habits that help.
Clothing & Laundry
Synthetic vs natural fabrics, and how washing and drying release microfibers.
Synthetic clothing
Polyester/nylon/acrylic are plastic; shed microfibers when washed.
Fleece & activewear
Fluffy synthetics shed the most fibers; dryers add to it.
Washing & drying
700,000+ fibers per wash; bags, balls and filters help.
Closet Storage & Accessories
The hangers, bins and bags around your closet.
Hangers, bins & garment bags
Mostly a plastic-waste issue; wood, metal and fabric last longer.
Synthetic clothing (polyester, nylon, acrylic)
Most modern clothes are plastic fabric that sheds microfibers.
The concern
Polyester, nylon, acrylic and most “performance” fabrics are made from plastic (polyester is the same PET plastic used in drink bottles). Every time you wash them they shed tiny plastic microfibers. A 2016 study found a single 6 kg wash load can release more than 700,000 microfibers, many of which pass through wastewater treatment and out into rivers and oceans. Microfibers are now one of the most common microplastics found in the environment. Whether the fibers we breathe in or swallow at home affect our health is still being researched.
Why the swaps are safer
- Natural fibers (cotton, linen, wool, hemp) aren’t plastic and don’t shed microplastics.
- Buying fewer, better-made pieces and shopping secondhand cuts both plastic and cost.
- Tencel and lyocell are plant-based fibers that feel like synthetics but aren’t plastic.
Safer alternatives
Tencel / lyocell
Plant-based, soft and breathable · $$
Our product criteria: We only link to products made from non-toxic, non-plastic materials with recognized third-party certifications (GOTS, GOLS, GREENGUARD Gold) where applicable. These are suggestions based on our research, always verify a product's certifications and ingredients before purchasing. We are not responsible for third-party product claims or changes in formulation.
Cost comparison
Plastic version: Fast-fashion synthetics are cheap up front but wear out quickly.
Natural and secondhand pieces often last longer, so cost per wear can be lower.
Approximate market ranges (as of June 2026), for guidance only, exact prices and purchase links (some may be affiliate, always disclosed) come later.
Sources
- Napper & Thompson, Marine Pollution Bulletin (2016), view ↗
Last verified June 2026 · reviewed by The Daily Swap team.
Fleece & synthetic activewear
Fluffy synthetics like fleece shed the most microfibers.
The concern
Fleece, microfiber towels and stretchy activewear (polyester, nylon, spandex) are some of the heaviest microfiber shedders because of their loose, fluffy structure. The 2016 washing study found acrylic and fleece-type fabrics released far more fibers than tighter weaves. Drying adds to the problem: a 2020 study showed electric dryers vent microfibers straight into outdoor air, an often-overlooked source of pollution.
Why the swaps are safer
- Wool and merino are natural performance fibers that don't shed plastic microfibers.
- Organic cotton works well for everyday loungewear.
- Choosing natural fibers avoids the synthetic shedding at the source.
Safer alternatives
Merino wool layers
Warm, odor-resistant, fully natural performance fiber that sheds no plastic.
Shop Search Amazon ↗
Organic cotton fleece
Natural fiber for hoodies and loungewear; no synthetic shedding.
Shop Search Amazon ↗
Our product criteria: We only link to products made from non-toxic, non-plastic materials with recognized third-party certifications (GOTS, GOLS, GREENGUARD Gold) where applicable. These are suggestions based on our research, always verify a product's certifications and ingredients before purchasing. We are not responsible for third-party product claims or changes in formulation.
Cost comparison
Each bar spans the typical price range for that option, on a shared scale.
Ranges verified against live retailer listings on July 1, 2026 (Walmart, Target, Amazon, brand sites). Single-item pricing (or set where noted), for guidance only.
Washing & drying synthetic fabrics
Laundry is a major route for microfibers into the environment.
The concern
Washing and drying are where synthetic clothes actually release their plastic. Washing machines flush microfibers into wastewater (more than 700,000 per wash in one study), and dryers vent them into the air. The good news is that a few cheap tools and habits capture or prevent a lot of it.
Why the swaps are safer
- A microfiber-catching wash bag or in-drum ball traps fibers before they reach the drain.
- An inline washing-machine filter catches the most (one tested filter captured about 87% of fibers).
- Full, cold, gentle loads and air-drying all release fewer fibers.
Safer alternatives
Inline lint filter
Plumbed to the machine; highest capture
Our product criteria: We only link to products made from non-toxic, non-plastic materials with recognized third-party certifications (GOTS, GOLS, GREENGUARD Gold) where applicable. These are suggestions based on our research, always verify a product's certifications and ingredients before purchasing. We are not responsible for third-party product claims or changes in formulation.
Cost comparison
Each bar spans the typical price range for that option, on a shared scale.
Ranges verified against live retailer listings on July 1, 2026 (Walmart, Target, Amazon, brand sites). Single-item pricing (or set where noted), for guidance only.
Plastic hangers, bins & garment bags
Closet plastics are mostly a waste problem, not a health one.
The concern
Plastic hangers, storage tubs and garment bags are mainly a waste issue rather than a chemical one, so we flag them honestly. They are often a mix of different plastics (and metal hooks), which makes them hard to recycle, and globally only about 9% of plastic waste is ever recycled. So most of these end up in landfill. This one is about cutting plastic waste, not avoiding a health risk.
Why the swaps are safer
- Wood or metal hangers last for years and are recyclable.
- Fabric or cardboard storage avoids plastic tubs entirely.
- Reusing the hangers and bins you already own is the lowest-waste option.
Safer alternatives
Fabric bins or cotton garment bags
Breathable, foldable, plastic-free · ~$8–$20
Shop Search Amazon ↗
Reuse what you have
Keeping them in use is the greenest option · free
Our product criteria: We only link to products made from non-toxic, non-plastic materials with recognized third-party certifications (GOTS, GOLS, GREENGUARD Gold) where applicable. These are suggestions based on our research, always verify a product's certifications and ingredients before purchasing. We are not responsible for third-party product claims or changes in formulation.
Cost comparison
Plastic version: Plastic hangers are cheap but flimsy and short-lived.
Wood and metal cost a bit more but last far longer.
Approximate market ranges (as of June 2026), for guidance only, exact prices and purchase links (some may be affiliate, always disclosed) come later.
Sources
- OECD, Global Plastics Outlook (2022), view ↗
Last verified June 2026 · reviewed by The Daily Swap team.