Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Is Laundry Ball a Sustainable Washing Option? Examining the Effect of Laundry Ball on Microfiber Shedding for Clothing Made of Synthetic Materials

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Abstract

Laundry ball is claimed as a sustainable washing option since it does not contain chemical elements that pollute the environment. However, little research exists to showcase the impact of laundry ball on microfiber pollution during home laundering which this study aimed to investigate. An experimental research design, consisting of 4 (laundry balls) x 3 (washing cycles) x 2 (repetition) was used for this study. The findings revealed that different laundry balls including ceramic, lint remover, and scrubbing did not reduce microfiber shedding of synthetic clothing. Moreover, the use of ceramic laundry ball accelerated microfiber shedding. It presented the effects of different washing cycles on microfiber shedding of synthetic clothing. The findings point towards the need to educate consumers about choosing the right washing options to minimize microfiber shedding. The findings have implications to develop more sustainable washing options to reduce negative environmental effects by controlling microfiber pollution in home laundering.

Keywords: Microfiber shedding, home laundering, sustainable, laundry ball, synthetic clothing

How to Cite:

Salahuddin, M. & Lee, Y., (2022) “Is Laundry Ball a Sustainable Washing Option? Examining the Effect of Laundry Ball on Microfiber Shedding for Clothing Made of Synthetic Materials”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 79(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.15856