Yes, detergent pods are plastic. No, you shouldn’t worry about them. |
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| Dana Davis/NYT Wirecutter; source photos by AdobeStock |
There’s no getting around it: Detergent pods are indeed made of plastic. And yes, microplastics are ubiquitous. But after years of investigating and testing pods, writer Andrea Barnes says there’s little credible scientific evidence proving pods are a significant source of microplastics pollution. And you should be skeptical of striking marketing claims that assert the danger in using pods. (Looking at you, Blueland.)
Our cleaning expert’s investigation→
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The bigger problem with microplastics in laundry |
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| Alvaro Dominguez for NYT Wirecutter; source photos by iStock |
Detergent pods aside, research has shown that laundry is a significant source of microplastics to wastewater. Synthetic fibers shed off our clothes all the time, and those microfibers can end up in natural waterways. Here are some tips that may help reduce microplastic shedding:
- Wash your clothes in cold water. Andrea says it’s “ultimately one of the most environmentally impactful things you can do in the laundry room.”
- Research suggests that dryer cycles may be a significant source of airborne microplastics, so line dry when possible. It could help some of your clothes last longer, too.
- Do laundry less often. Some things do need regular laundering, but others, like jeans, you can get away with washing far less frequently.
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More tips to reduce your exposure to microplastics→
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One last (detergent) thing: Stop using liquid dishwasher detergent |
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| Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter |
Another word of advice from Andrea: If you typically open your dishwasher to find spattered plates, cloudy glasses, and dull cutlery, the first thing you should consider is using a new detergent. And this is especially true if you currently use liquid detergents, which we’ve found to be consistently worse cleaners than pods or powders.
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Happy cleaning.
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