Guppyfriend Laundry Bag
Regular price
$33.00
In collaboration with STOP! Micro Waste, we are proud to stock Guppyfriend with profits supporting micro pollution research.
The Guppyfriend wash bag is the original practical way to prevent microfibres from entering marine environments. Its smooth surface results in fewer fibre losses, helping your garments to last longer. The microfibres released during washing are captured inside the bag. Guppyfriend will hold a couple jackets, or several pieces of swim and active wear.
- material: polyamide 6.6, untreated monofilament.
- size: 50 x 74 cm
Microplastic pollution is emerging as a significant problem in our oceans worldwide. Australians alone may be contributing the equivalent of 7,500 - 100,000 plastic bags each week as microplastic fibres into our oceans from our laundry.
Want to do something about your laundry? Our pilot study showed washing your synthetic clothes in laundry bags restricts 83-90 % of the microfibres in your laundry waste water. Even better, the bags protect your clothes, making them last longer.
To protect your garments and the environment:
- Place your swimwear in the bag and zip shut.
- Wash in cool water (30 C), ideally using liquid laundry detergent, in a front load washing machine. The bags will work in a top load washer, but it should be known top-load washers shorten the life of your clothes and yield up to 430 % more microfibres.
- After washing, remove garments and hang out to dry. Bag should be zipped shut and hung in shade to dry.
- Microfibres can be collected from the bag after every 5-10 washes, or as needed, and disposed of in your general rubbish. They will be found clinging to the seams. Never rinse these down the drain.
This bag is not the perfect solution to the problem of microfibre pollution from laundry. However, the problem is significant and every action to restrict microfibre pollution is worthwhile.
Frequently asked questions:
Q. How effective is the bag on laundry with stains like chocolate, tomato sauce or blood?
A. The bags have been tested for both chocolate and blood stains and found to have properly cleaned fabrics with these stains. For deeper ground in stains, pre-treatment, just like you would normally will aid the outcome.
Q. Can the bags be used for nappies?
A. Guppyfriend is yet to be tested on nappies. However, if you pre-soak your nappies as you would normally before washing, you should have a good outcome. We don't recommend placing nappies containing waste solids in the bag.
Q. Does the bag contribute to the problem of microfibre pollution?
A. Good question. During independent testing, after 50 washes the bag was not found to change significantly in mass and to have all seams in tact. Being made from monofilament means these bags are made to last. That said, we don't wish to see the planet covered in Guppyfriend laundry bags. It really is a short term solution, action you can take now to make your clothing last longer, and keep plastic from your laundry out of nature.
Q. What do I do with the bag at the end of its useful life?
A. Return it for recycling to Ocean Remedy, PO Box 175, South Fremantle WA 6152.
Q. What type of garments should be washed in the bag?
A. Probably all of them. The research is yet to be completed on natural fibres which may also be simply delivering toxicants into marine environments before breaking down. However, for now, we can confidently say synthetic clothing is a significant contributor to microplastic pollution and is clogging up our ocean sediments, compromising ecological health. If you have clothing with screen printing on it, elasticated waste bands, sparkly motifs, any level of lycra/elastane, you should consider washing it in a laundry bag. Plus you get the added bonus your clothes should look better for longer, a double win!