Your Closet Is Full of Plastic. Here’s What to Do About It

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After our last note on “plastic detoxing” your kitchen, inspired by Netflix’s The Plastic Detox, many of you noticed the same thing we did: once you start seeing plastic, it appears everywhere – in our kitchen, in utensils, at restaurants when we do takeout.

But one place we didn’t expect to check next was our closets.

Christina in particular noticed one afternoon that some of her and her little one’s everyday clothes were synthetic — polyester, nylon, and rayon. Tiny microfibers from these fabrics shed every time you wear or wash them. They travel through the air, into waterways, and even into our bodies. Researchers estimate synthetic textiles make up about 35% of all microplastic pollution.

When she told me about it, I was mortified. I had never really considered this was a possibility that our clothing could be haring us. We certainly wanted to do better — for ourselves, for the family, and for the planet. The National Cotton Council’s Plant Not Plastic campaign inspired me to think about small swaps that really add up over time. Cotton and other plant-based fabrics aren’t just natural and soft, they help reduce microplastics in our clothes and in the environment.

Here’s a simple way to start your closet detox:

1. Flip the label before buying – Look for 100% cotton or high-cotton blends instead of polyester, nylon, or spandex.
2. Start with everyday basics – T-shirts, pajamas, and clothes closest to your skin are easiest to swap.
3. Gradual replacement – No need to toss your whole wardrobe. Replace items over time when they wear out or you need something new.
4. Wash smart – Full loads, cooler water, and gentle cycles reduce microplastic shedding.
5. Air-dry when possible – Minimizes friction from dryers, which releases more microfibers.
6. Ancestral Clothing – Use more clothing that our ancestors would wear: those ponchos, jackets, shawls that were in your family’s closet? Those are certainly 100% cotton, and pieces that you can keep forever.

These small, intentional swaps mirror the kitchen detox approach: one cabinet, one container, one small change at a time. Over weeks and months, the impact adds up — for your health, your home, and the planet.

Your kitchen was the beginning. Now your closet can be part of the next chapter — one where what you wear matters just as much as what you eat.