Came across this article on Wirecutter regarding how microfibers are becoming ubiquitous in all our water supplies. They are everywhere -

No matter the pathway, plastic microfibers from clothes have shown up in food, as well as in bottled water, tap water, beer, and sea salt (PDF). An American Chemical Society study published in 2019 reported that “our estimates of American consumption of microplastics are likely drastic underestimates.” Scientists are still studying the health impacts of ingesting plastic—including on the immune system and in childhood development. But we do know that we’re all being exposed to plastic constantly. (Because no standards for microplastics currently exist from the American National Standards Institute, ANSI, or the National Science Foundation, NSF—two bodies that oversee product claim requirements—none of our water filter picks are certified for microplastic filtration.)

The microfibers that our clothing shed may have significant consequences for ecosystems in water and on land, as well as directly on our health—the extent of which scientists are just beginning to understand. We have a major environmental problem, and it’s linked to our clothes—how we design them, how we make them, how often we buy them, and how we care for them. “The global production of stretchy synthetic textiles is expected to triple by 2050,” said Jackson. “So this is a problem that’s not going away.”

 

 

There are filters and laundry bags that claim to reduce the amount released into our water.

There are two kinds of filters that you can buy to address microfiber shedding in laundry. The first is a filter that you add to your washing machine’s water outflow, to catch fibers before they enter municipal wastewater. The second is an accessory you throw in the wash along with your clothes, such as laundry balls that capture microfibers or laundry bags made from woven monofilaments with a small pore size.

 

Some of the outboard filters are pricey, and have questionable performance.

A microfiber filter that you attach to the outside of your washing machine may be an option. It will require more effort than just using a laundry bag or similar accessory. But other than attaching the filter and emptying it every two to 10 loads (depending on the filter and what you wash), you won’t need to adjust how you do laundry (as you might when using laundry bags or balls). Most filters are bulky, however, so you need to make sure you have enough room for the filter you choose (and, if you rent, have approval from your landlord). For example, Filtrol ($140 at the time of writing) is 15 inches tall and 9 inches wide, and it should be installed with 1 to 2 feet of clearance above the filter (to access it for cleaning). Another option, LUV-R ($180 at the time of writing) is similar in size, at about 13 inches tall and 10 inches wide, and it requires 16 to 18 inches of top clearance.

The Girlfriend Collective Microfiber Filter is cheaper ($45 at the time of writing). But the price does not include the eight additional parts (PDF) you have to source on your own. Depending on your personality, you may find sourcing these components (like a hose, which the Filtrol and the LUV-R kits include) to be an “unbelievable hassle,” as one recent reviewer observed on Girlfriend Collective’s site. We have not yet tried the filter we purchased, but one Wirecutter staffer is planning to install it, and we will update this piece with the results.

 

 

Laundry bags are an option:

Laundry bags and laundry balls cost less than external filters, but they don’t necessarily save you money in the long run. Expect to spend between $20 to $40 per item. The Guppyfriend laundry bag (approximately 29 by 20 inches) is about $35, the Wolven bag (approximately 28 by 20 inches) is $24, and the Cora Ball is $38 (all prices at the time of writing). However, you will likely need more than one bag. Alexander Nolte, co-founder of Guppyfriend, told me that the company recommends using two bags per wash cycle, to avoid overstuffing the bag. For effective cleaning and to balance the wash cycle, each bag should ideally be filled to two-thirds its volume (what I estimated to be about 15 adult T-shirts). This essentially doubles the cost to you. There is no limit to the amount of clothing per load you can wash with the Cora Ball. However, the company does suggest adding up to two more balls if you notice many fibers being caught in a single wash cycle.

 

So is this the next frontier in laundry equipment?

The article is long and might behind a pay wall, but here is the link.

Is this a problem if the overwhelming majority of the laundry is all cotton?

The article indicated even if the fabric is all cotton it can be treated with chemicals containing micro fibers.  They appear to be everywhere.