Study compares cotton, rayon, polyester microfibre shedding

LONDON – New research measured levels of microfibre discharge from cotton, polyester and rayon fabrics. The study found that all fabrics types released significant microfibres during laundering, with cotton and rayon knitted fabrics releasing more microfibres than polyester during laundering. Researchers also found that use of detergent increases the generation of microfibres during laundering, while fabrics with higher abrasion resistance, lower hairiness, and higher yarn strength released less microfibres. While cellulose fibres release more microfibres, the researchers also found that they degrade in aquatic conditions whereas polyester fibres do not.