This Tiny New Laundry Tool Helps Protect Our Water Systems in a Big Way

Let’s talk about washing machines for a moment. Do you know how your washing machine filter works? It’s okay if you don’t, because Girlfriend Collective wants to help you learn. The company just created a simple tool that solves a major laundry problem and will make doing laundry a more eco-friendly process.

Here’s the problem: According to Girlfriend Collective, 60% of clothing contains synthetic materials. And when clothing with synthetic materials is washed, it sheds microfiber waste made of tiny plastic particles, which get flushed down the drain with the rest of the water. But the microfibers are so small, they don’t get filtered out completely at water treatment plants—which means they’re discarded into the ocean, where small organisms can ingest them.

Not great, right? Fortunately, Girlfriend Collective created a solution: the Microfiber Filter. The washing machine attachment traps and filters out microfibers before they can enter our water streams.

The filter is easy to install and can fit on nearly every washing machine via the discharge hose. It’s affordable, too. $45 is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that you’re making a difference.

Girlfriend Collective notes in the comments of this Instagram post that once your filter is full (about every 10 loads), you should throw away the microfibers in a paper bag to avoid polluting the air as well. The company notes that it doesn’t know of a way to recycle microfibers yet, but it’s hopeful there will be one in the future. For now, we’re just grateful we can help protect our water systems in a new way.