Microplastics: The Hidden Thread in Clothes (and What We Can Actually Do About It)

You’ve probably heard the word “microplastics” being thrown around lately, on podcasts, in articles, maybe even at your kitchen table. I was listening to What’s Up Docs?, hosted by Drs. Chris and Xand van Tulleken, yesterday and in their latest episode, titled "Should I Worry About Microplastics?", they really dug into just how everywhere these tiny plastic bits really are. Spoiler alert: they’re in the air, our oceans, our food and, yep, even our clothes.

To provide expert insight, they were joined by Dr. Stephanie Wright, a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Toxicology at Imperial College London, whose research focuses on the biological impacts of microplastics. Hearing her break it down made it crystal clear: this isn’t just an environmental problem, it’s also a human health concern.

It’s not exactly the warm, fuzzy feeling you want when you put on your favourite jumper.

But here’s the good news: once you know, you can do. And as always, small changes really do matter.

So, What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are teeny-tiny plastic particles that shed from larger plastic items like bottles, packaging, and yes, synthetic clothes, into our environment. Once they’re out there, they don’t break down. Instead, they hang around in our oceans, in the fish we eat, and even in our bodies.

One of the biggest sources? Clothing made from synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Every time you wash them, they shed microplastics into our water systems and those particles are too small to be filtered out.

Why This Matters for Sustainable Fashion

As Ohh! By Gum is a sustainable shop, we talk a lot about fabrics, but this is why.

The rise of fast fashion means more clothes are being made (and tossed) than ever before and most of them are synthetic. Not only do they require fossil fuels to produce, but they also keep giving… in the worst way possible. A single load of laundry can release hundreds of thousands of microfibres.

So even when you're not putting clothes in the bin, they could still be harming the planet just by being washed.

Enter: The Guppyfriend Washing Bag

Now, here’s where we get to some hope - the Guppyfriend washing bag. It’s a clever little invention that traps microfibres during a regular wash cycle, preventing them from escaping into waterways.

You just pop your clothing inside, wash as normal, and dispose of the collected fibres in the bin instead of down the drain. Using a Guppyfriend won’t solve microplastic pollution entirely (if only it were that easy), but it’s one of those realistic steps that actually does something.

Organic Clothing: The Other Piece of the Puzzle

Another way to take action? Go natural.

Opting for clothes made from organic cotton, linen, or other natural materials means you’re wearing fabrics that don’t shed plastic fibres in the first place. Bonus: they’re often better for your skin and the people who make them, too.

We do understand not everyone’s wardrobe can be 100% organic overnight but swapping just a few pieces a year can genuinely make a difference. The fewer synthetic items you have, the less you’re shedding. Simple as.

In Ohh! By Gum, we try to stock organic pieces that feel good in every sense of the word. Ones you’ll wear on repeat, never want to part with, and keep for years and years.

What You Can Actually Do

• Use a Guppyfriend (we’ve got them in stock) to reduce microplastic pollution in your laundry

• Choose natural or organic fibres when you can

• Wash less, air more – spot clean, hang clothes outside, and save energy too

• Support brands that care about their supply chains and materials

• Stay curious – listen to podcasts like the What’s Up Docs? one to stay informed without getting overwhelmed

The Bottom Line?

Whether you’re switching to organic cotton socks, using a Guppyfriend in the laundry, or just sharing a post about microplastics, you’re part of a growing wave of people trying to be more thoughtful about what we wear, wash, and waste.

And honestly? That gives us a lot of hope.