Viral health posts often cast polyester as something people should remove from their wardrobes entirely. But according to content creator Doctor Sood (@doctorsood), the case against polyester cannot be reduced to blanket advice to throw it all away.
Here's what to know
Responding to broad claims about polyester in a short video on social media, Sood said that "simply wearing polyester has not been shown to cause broad health problems in most people."
He said that the more pressing issues can stem from a product's production, adding: "What can matter more are the chemicals used during manufacturing, like certain dyes, finishes, or treatments. And those will vary widely between products."
@doctorsood Would you ever get rid of polyester after seeing a video like this? PMID: 33432280 VC: @kristine.crouch #polyester #microplastics #clothing #health #medical ♬ original sound - DoctorSood, M.D.
That is different, he said, from situations where someone develops "skin irritation or contact dermatitis from certain fabrics or textile chemicals" — which does not indicate that polyester itself is universally toxic.
In the comments, one person shared that experience, writing: "I only have natural fiber in my wardrobe. Polyester is rough on my skin!"
More background
Concerns over microplastics came up as well. The tiny plastic particles shed from consumer goods like fabrics are often part of conversations about synthetic clothing and potential impacts.
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On that topic, Sood said, "There are also concerns about microplastics released when synthetic clothing is washed, but that's more of an environmental exposure issue."
As Sood and others have pointed out, washing plastic-based clothing can cause microplastics to end up in water supplies — an approved filter added to your washing machine may help to mitigate that risk.
What can be done?
Sood said a full wardrobe replacement is often unnecessary.
"If you prefer cotton, wool, linen, or other natural fibers, that's completely reasonable," he said. "But you probably do not need to replace your entire closet for health reasons."
Those for whom polyester clothing is irritating or uncomfortable may end up making bigger swaps. But, as reporting from the Guardian also indicated this spring, full wardrobe replacements are usually unnecessary for health reasons.
They can also be expensive and inaccessible for many families. And, from a waste perspective, they can also be environmentally harmful.
Those looking to reduce the impacts of new and mass-produced polyester clothing across the supply chain — from poor working conditions in factories to heaps of clothing in landfills — may choose to stay away from fast-fashion purchases to begin with by buying secondhand, repairing older clothing, and sharing with friends and family.
Where can I learn more?
Questions about polyester often lead to broader concerns about textile chemicals, microplastics, and how clothes are made:
• Polyester's fossil-fuel footprint and microfiber shedding add environmental costs beyond how it feels.
• When synthetic clothes are hand-washed, microplastic pollution in water can increase significantly.
• Testing found some bras and other garments carried concerning PFAS levels against wearers' skin.
• In South Korea, items from Shein, Temu, and AliExpress showed dangerous chemical coatings.
• New York and California moved toward PFAS clothing bans as disposal risks drew scrutiny.
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