Is there more than one size?

At the moment GUPPYFRIEND only offer the Washing Bag in the standard size M, which is 50 x 74 cm. According to their tests, the Medium bag is the most effective size for household use. In a larger bag, more microfibres would break off due to the greater friction. For larger amounts of laundry, it therefore, makes sense to use two medium bags instead of one large one. In addition, there should still be enough space in the laundry drum to wash a few loose (non-synthetic) laundry items in addition to the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag. This will prevent any possible imbalance.

Why doesn't the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag not shed fibres?

Although the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag is made of polyester, it does not lose any microplastic itself. The reason for this is the special structure of the yarn and its properties. The yarn of the filter material consists of a single strand of thread, a so-called monofilament. The yarn is therefore more like a stable stick that cannot unravel and lose microplastic fibres. In addition, the strand of yarn is round, smooth and the material is particularly resistant to alkalis. This results in a very tough and stable fabric that does not rub off and is not affected by washing detergents.

This is different with the sewing thread used for textiles. These yarns usually consist of several strands of thread that are twisted together. With use and washing, the yarns unravel over time and rub off due to the rough surface. This causes them to lose tiny microplastic fibres.

What clothes belong in the Washing Bag?

Any synthetic textiles (such as polyester, acrylic, nylon, etc.). Fleece jackets, sportswear and outdoor clothing are often made entirely or to a large extent of synthetic fibres, but most other garments also contain a certain amount of synthetics. You can check the care label to see what your garments are made of.

However, clothes made of pure cotton and wool can also be washed in the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag, because textiles made of natural materials also lose fibres. Washing in the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag significantly reduces fibre breakage and thus protects your clothes from wear and tear. You can enjoy your clothes much longer - another sustainable advantage of the Guppyfriend Washing Bag.

By the way: Unfortunately, synthetic fibres may even be present in clothes if they are not indicated on the care label. The rules for listing the components on care labels vary widely, thus a jumper labelled as 100% wool may contain up to 10% of synthetic fibres.

At what temperature can I wash the bag?

In tests, the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag was washed at a maximum temperature of 40°C. Therefore, it is not recommend to wash hotter than 40°.

In general, the warmer you wash, the shorter the life of your clothes.

Can the GUPPYFRIEND bag be used in the tumble drier?

No.

How do I dispose of the fibres collected in the bag?

Please dispose of the collected microfibres in the general waste. It is best to collect and dispose of the collected fibres in a closed container. This reduces the chance of the small and very light synthetic fibres being blown away during waste collection and to end up in the environment.

Why can't I see any fibres in the bag?

It's perfectly normal if you don't find any microfibres at first. They are very small and often transparent, so they are sometimes difficult to find with the naked eye, especially in a wet bag.

In addition, the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag has been designed to prevent microfibre loss at source. Due to the smooth surface and structure of the material, fewer microfibres break off during washing. This ensures that your clothes are protected, pilling is avoided and fibre loss is reduced. According to a test series by the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT, synthetic clothing loses on average 86% fewer fibres compared to washing without the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag. The microfibres that nevertheless break off accumulate over time. You are most likely to find them in the corners or at the hem.

By the way: The number of fibres that break during washing depends on the type of clothes and the way you wash them: very new or very old clothes tend to lose more microfibres. The higher the temperature, the more likely it is that microfibres will break off. The softer the fabrics, the fewer fibres will break off, etc.

How many times can I use the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag?

If you follow our instructions for use, you can use your bag for many wash cycles. After a few washes, the washing bag won't look like new, but it will still do its job perfectly.

How do I dispose of the bag when it's come to the end of its use?

The GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag is entirely made of polyester and is designed to be fully recyclable. The best thing to do is to remove the zip first and dispose of the zip and the bag in the recycling bin.

By the way: Recycled material cannot (yet) be used for high-tech fabrics like the material of our GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bags. Unfortunately, old GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bags cannot yet be used to produce new GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bags.