Every so often, something comes along that makes you rethink the things you use every single day. Lately, that “thing” has been microplastics.
Researchers are finding microplastics everywhere. It is in the air, the water, the soil, and even inside our bodies. The scientist who first coined the term microplastics, Professor Richard Thompson, put it bluntly: “Plastic is everywhere — the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.” And honestly? It’s unsettling.
Much of our exposure happens inside our own homes, especially from the fabrics we wear and sleep in every day.
Where Most Microplastics Come From
Synthetic clothes shed tiny fibers when we wear and wash them. Those fibers become dust that we breathe in. Heat and friction make this worse; microwaving plastic containers, cooking on scratched nonstick pans, or using plastic baby bottles all release more microplastics.
A single scratch on a Teflon pan can release over 9,000 particles. Melamine dishware sheds significantly more after repeated washing. And synthetic fabrics? They’re responsible for an estimated 35% of all ocean microplastics.
Synthetic Clothing and Potential Health Effects
Some early research has found that polyester exposure can affect fertility in animals. Female dogs wearing polyester garments showed a 75% drop in fertility, which was reversible once the polyester was removed. While we don’t have human studies yet, it raises important questions about constant synthetic exposure.
Why Your Bedding Matters
We spend a third of our lives in bed. Synthetic bedding sheds microplastics into the air we breathe all night. Switching to 100% cotton bedding, like the products from Nest and Nooks, is one of the easiest ways to reduce microplastic exposure.
Nest and Nooks bedding:
- Uses 100% cotton (no synthetics)
- Doesn’t shed plastic fibers
- Is breathable and better for sensitive skin
- Reduces microplastic pollution during washing
What You Can Control
Here are simple ways to reduce microplastic exposure:
- Avoid heating food in plastic containers.
- Replace damaged plastic and nonstick cookware.
- Choose clothing and bedding made from natural fibers.
- Use a HEPA vacuum to capture microfibers.
- Store food in glass or stainless steel.
- Choose less packaged, less processed foods.
Microplastics aren’t just an environmental issue, they’re a daily health issue. Switching to natural materials, especially in your bedroom, is an easy step toward reducing exposure. Choosing 100% cotton bedding like Nest and Nooks helps create a safer, healthier home for you and your loved ones, including our four-legged friends. Checkout their 100% cotton sheets on their socials and start the change today.
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Rebecca Johnson