Clothing dissolving into polluted water, symbolizing nano-silver pollution.

Are Your Clothes Polluting Our Water? The Hidden Dangers of Nano-Silver in Textiles

Elliot Brynn in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into how washing your favorite garments could be releasing harmful silver nanoparticles into our waterways, impacting aquatic life and potentially your health."

In the 21st century, advancements in nanotechnology have brought us an array of innovative materials, including nanometals and nanometal oxides. While these materials offer enhanced properties and functionalities, it's crucial to consider their potential impacts on human health and the environment. Nanomaterials, intentionally produced at the nanoscale (1-100 nm), possess unique characteristics that set them apart from their larger counterparts.

Metallic nanoparticles, such as silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), are particularly promising due to their altered physical, chemical, and biological properties. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stand out as one of the most widely used nanometals, finding applications in over 250 consumer products, ranging from household appliances to textiles and medical devices. AgNPs are incorporated into textiles to enhance their antibacterial properties, protecting products from microbial growth and safeguarding users from harmful microorganisms.

However, the increasing use of AgNPs in textiles raises concerns about their release into the environment. During washing, abrasion, or disposal, these nanoparticles can leach into wastewater, potentially disrupting treatment processes and harming aquatic ecosystems. Understanding the impact of different washing conditions on the release of Ag species from textiles is essential to mitigate these risks and promote sustainable nanotechnology practices.

How Does Washing Clothes Release Silver Nanoparticles?

Clothing dissolving into polluted water, symbolizing nano-silver pollution.

A recent study investigated the release of silver (Ag) species from textiles into washing solutions under various conditions. The textiles examined included commercially available socks and laboratory-prepared cotton and viscose fabrics infused with AgNPs. The research aimed to quantify the Ag release and identify the factors influencing this process.

The study revealed that the amount of Ag released during washing depended on several factors, including:

Test Media: The chemical composition of the washing solution, including its temperature and volume, significantly affected Ag release.
Metal Content: The initial concentration of Ag in the textiles played a crucial role.
Textile Type and Color: The type of fabric and its color were major determinants of Ag release.

Specifically, the Ag concentration in the washing solution ranged from 0.015 µg/L to 4.44 µg/L for socks and 0.61 µg/L to 103 µg/L for AgNP-filled cotton. The total percentage of Ag released during a single wash varied considerably among textiles, ranging from less than 1% to 34%.

What Can You Do to Reduce Nano-Silver Pollution?

The study highlights the potential risks associated with the release of AgNPs from textiles during washing. To minimize your contribution to this pollution, consider the following: <ul> <li>Choose natural fibers: Opt for clothing made from natural fibers that don't require nano-silver treatments.</li> <li>Wash less frequently: Wash clothes only when necessary to reduce the release of AgNPs.</li> <li>Use cold water: Wash clothes in cold water, as higher temperatures increase Ag release.</li> <li>Support sustainable brands: Look for clothing brands committed to sustainable practices and transparent material sourcing.</li> </ul>

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4172/2165-784x.1000234, Alternate LINK

Title: Impact Of Different Washing Conditions On The Release Of Ag Species From Textiles

Subject: General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Journal: Journal of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group

Authors: Joanna Kyzioa Komosiaska, Agnieszka Bara

Published: 2016-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why are silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) used in clothing, and what are the potential environmental concerns?

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are incorporated into textiles primarily to leverage their antibacterial properties. These particles protect the textiles from microbial growth and safeguard users from harmful microorganisms. The concern arises during washing, abrasion, or disposal, where these nanoparticles can leach into wastewater, potentially disrupting treatment processes and harming aquatic ecosystems. Understanding the dynamics of AgNP release is crucial for mitigating environmental risks and promoting sustainable nanotechnology practices.

What factors determine how much silver (Ag) is released from clothing when it's washed?

The quantity of silver (Ag) released during washing is contingent on several factors. The chemical composition of the washing solution, including its temperature and volume, significantly affects Ag release. The initial concentration of Ag in the textiles is also a crucial factor. Furthermore, the type of fabric and its color act as major determinants of Ag release. These factors collectively influence the extent to which AgNPs are liberated from textiles during laundering.

What practical steps can consumers take to minimize nano-silver pollution from their laundry?

To reduce nano-silver pollution, consider opting for clothing made from natural fibers that do not require nano-silver treatments. Washing clothes less frequently can also reduce the release of AgNPs. Using cold water for washing is advisable, as higher temperatures increase Ag release. Lastly, supporting clothing brands committed to sustainable practices and transparent material sourcing can significantly contribute to minimizing environmental impact.

Besides silver, what other metallic nanoparticles are commonly used, and what are the broader implications of releasing these into the environment?

Metallic nanoparticles, such as silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), are used because of their altered physical, chemical, and biological properties. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most widely used, finding applications in over 250 consumer products. The implications of their release into the environment are far-reaching, potentially disrupting wastewater treatment processes and posing risks to aquatic ecosystems. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and develop effective mitigation strategies.

What types of textiles were analyzed in the study, and what were the range of silver concentrations released during washing?

The textiles examined included commercially available socks and laboratory-prepared cotton and viscose fabrics infused with AgNPs. Silver concentration in the washing solution ranged from 0.015 µg/L to 4.44 µg/L for socks and 0.61 µg/L to 103 µg/L for AgNP-filled cotton. The total percentage of silver released during a single wash varied considerably among textiles, ranging from less than 1% to 34%.