Are stain-resistant coatings on athletic wear shedding extra microplastic onto cotton in the wash?
Yes. Low-friction coated synthetic clothes spread microplastic to cotton items in the same load.
What's actually in it
Athletic shirts and leggings are often coated with a silicone, fluoropolymer, or other low-friction finish to fight stains and stretch marks. The coating sheds during washing, just like the polyester underneath. The shed pieces don't all wash away. Some cling to whatever else is in the load, including cotton clothes.
Wash a hoodie of polyester with a cotton T-shirt and you finish with two pieces of microplastic-loaded fabric.
What the research says
A 2026 study in ACS Environ Au washed coated synthetic clothes together with uncoated cotton items. Microplastic and coating fibers ended up on the cotton. Coated polyester shed more than plain polyester. Detergent and warmer water made it worse.
The team flagged that the laundry transfer means even cotton-only people pick up plastic from anyone who washes synthetics in shared machines.
Wash synthetic separately from cotton when you can. Use a microfiber-catching laundry bag like Guppyfriend for athletic wear. Stick with cold water and shorter cycles. Skip fabric softener, which makes shedding worse.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| How Low-Friction Coatings Affect Microplastic Fiber Release When Laundering Coated and Uncoated Textiles Together. | ACS Environ Au | 2026 |
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