Instead of fast, long: how to wash if I don't want to litter with plastic?

Microplastics from synthetic textiles contribute significantly to ocean pollution, with 8% from Europe and 16-35% globally. The textile industry relies heavily on synthetic fibers, particularly polyester, which constitutes 59% of global fiber production. Most microplastics are released during the first washes of garments, prompting a reconsideration of fast fashion habits in favor of more durable items. Washing polyester clothing can release hundreds of thousands of microplastic fibers, and Hungarian households wash clothes approximately 170 times a year. To reduce microplastic release, it's advisable to wash only when necessary, use full but not overloaded machines, and select shorter, cooler wash cycles. Various filter solutions exist to capture microplastics before they enter wastewater systems, and dedicated washing programs are increasingly available in modern machines.