Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want polyester banned!!

94 replies

Cappuccino5 · 18/08/2025 19:38

It is truly the devil’s fabric - who on earth thought that making clothes out of a material that is essentially plastic would be a good idea?

It doesn’t decompose, instead it simply goes and sits in landfill for 100s of years. Microplastics are released during each and every wash, polluting our water supply. It isn’t breathable and makes you sweat like a pig, to worsen this the fabric holds oil and therefore traps scent..! Bloody awful stuff on all accounts

I try and avoid it if possible but unfortunately I’m forced to wear it almost every day as it is my work uniform - I’m considering asking if I can pay to get a cotton version made. So sick of it!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
ThePerkyDuck · 19/08/2025 22:36

EBearhug · 18/08/2025 21:13

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002h0fn

Today's Inside Science suggests at the end that if we banned polyester, we'd struggle to clothes everyone with the amount of land that would be needed to grow cotton, flax, etc. So it's not thst simple.

I think that we could have potentially come up with a different safer biodegradable fabric that would replace plastic. The problem is there is no incentive from government or private companies to invest into the research.

lololola1987 · 19/08/2025 20:35

I have mentioned this on other threads.
Fleecy dressing gowns are traumatic to my menopausal body. The idea of them upsets me.
I instinctively rail against unnatural fibres since I’ve hit my 40s. And I’m pleased, it’s a good thing.

taxidriver · 19/08/2025 20:31

on the other hand, dont throw it away, no point sending it to landfill,
donate it

Momononoyoooo · 19/08/2025 20:30

Cheeseandquackers21 · 18/08/2025 19:42

Also I havent done much research into fabrics, but one slight rabbit hole I went into mentioned fabrics except cotton and natural ones can mess up hormones etc. So it also got me thinking about my clothes and blankets etc. Whilst I can?'t replace my whole wardrobe its made me consider what I buy from now on and even if higher price I will try and buy as much cotton and natural fiber materials.

Yes plastics are hormone disruptors. Now Drs are admitting it.... We used to be called conspiracy theorists but now the "studies" 100% prove it. Microplaatics have been found in the placenta. In the testicles etc etc etc. It is a major reason for fertility issues, Alzheimer's and dementia. It should be phased out like plastic bags. Natural fibers are superior.

cheesycheesy · 19/08/2025 20:25

It’s hot, stinky and awful. Terrible for the environment!

isyouready · 19/08/2025 20:23

Needspaceforlego · 19/08/2025 20:20

Are you sure its not the lining that's polyester?
I didn't think they could label a coat wool if it wasn't.

Show quote history

It's not labelled wool. I didn't look at the label I just assumed it was wool. It was an impulse buy

Needspaceforlego · 19/08/2025 20:20

isyouready · 19/08/2025 20:18

I thought I had a bargain when I bought a 'wool coat ' in sale. Got it home and saw it was made of polyester on the label

Are you sure its not the lining that's polyester?
I didn't think they could label a coat wool if it wasn't.

isyouready · 19/08/2025 20:18

I thought I had a bargain when I bought a 'wool coat ' in sale. Got it home and saw it was made of polyester on the label

Needspaceforlego · 19/08/2025 20:12

RedRiverShore5 · 19/08/2025 19:07

Most walking clothes are polyester blend, I wouldn't want to wear the old fashioned heavy type of walking wear which get wet and heavy

Exactly. Most outdoor clothing is polyester with some sort of membrane.

Could anyone imagine trying to work outdoors without modern clothing.

RedRiverShore5 · 19/08/2025 19:07

Most walking clothes are polyester blend, I wouldn't want to wear the old fashioned heavy type of walking wear which get wet and heavy

CalzoneOnLegs · 19/08/2025 19:02

@EBearhug and it takes a long time to dry I have found

EBearhug · 19/08/2025 18:37

Organic bamboo would be a better choice environmentally.

It's still not great, though. I think quite a lot of chemicals are used in its retting process.

Needspaceforlego · 19/08/2025 18:36

@Cat3059 I'll agree school blazers are the most hideous garments ever made esp for the UK climate.
Neither warm nor waterproof yet kids are forced to wear them because people think they create the 'right' impression.
Most kids fill the pockets with a ton of stuff, wallets, phones, pens, pencils. So they don't even sit nicely because of the ton of stuff weighting them down.

A proper waterproof jacket with school badge would be much better for kids. And still look the same.

Cat3059 · 19/08/2025 18:21

Cotton needs a ton of water to grow. There are also huge amounts of pesticides used to grow it, it's been called the world's dirtiest crop. Organic bamboo would be a better choice environmentally.

Some man made fibres are awful though, DS's school blazer was basically recycled plastic and was just horrid. But I have a lot of man made fibre clothes that I like, I have a skirt I can take travelling because it doesn't crease no matter how screwed up it gets, hiking wear that doesn't chill me if it gets damp/sweaty, socks that wick sweat away so I don't get blisters when hiking.

I wear clothes until they fall apart and even then if I can sew then back together I will.

DdraigGoch · 19/08/2025 18:02

Coffeetime25 · 19/08/2025 17:57

so you missed the point entirely lol brilliant

Show quote history

You had a point? I'll gladly do away with those single-use plastic cups too.

GentleSheep · 19/08/2025 17:58

I don't buy polyester anymore because it clings to me and gives me electric shocks. Horrible stuff.

Coffeetime25 · 19/08/2025 17:57

DdraigGoch · 19/08/2025 17:49

You are not four years old, it won't be the end of the world if you can't have a plastic straw in your juice.

Show quote history

so you missed the point entirely lol brilliant

FluffyWabbit · 19/08/2025 17:53

I love clothes labelled as 100% RECYCLED polyester like making me pay £60 for a top that is recycled trash is the most amazing privilege ever granted to me in life.

DdraigGoch · 19/08/2025 17:49

Coffeetime25 · 19/08/2025 14:04

cancel culture I don't like a product so I going to make sure no one in the world can use it
this is how we ended with with the nonsense stuff we have ie paper straws in plastic cups etc

You are not four years old, it won't be the end of the world if you can't have a plastic straw in your juice.

DdraigGoch · 19/08/2025 17:48

Needspaceforlego · 19/08/2025 13:21

I'm laughing at the cotton lasts forever 🤣
Cotton stains much more easily than polyester.

How do you stop cotton t-shirt getting holes across the belly?
How do you stop mens cotton shirts wearing on the collar?
How many mums moan about white cotton school polo's and stains?

Darning wool socks was a thing because wool wears just as much as other materials, but it was really expensive to replace wool socks.

I don't think anyone tries to repair cotton socks.

We cannot all buy from vinted and second hand places. Someone has to buy new.

Think How many jobs rely on people buying new clothes?, Design, manufacturers, distributors, trucks, shops?
How much VAT and tax is raised via clothing industry? Tax being shop rates, business taxes and employment taxes?

Lots of jobs rely on us wrecking the planet. I didn’t think about the oil refinery workers when ditching my car for a bicycles. Tough.

Tuih · 19/08/2025 17:30

I wouldn’t want to see it banned I wear a lot of it, especially for work, I need lightweight stuff that dries quickly and wicks the sweat, it ticks the box

PringlesTube · 19/08/2025 16:25

Yes, please ban those awful polyester Popsy dresses 🤢

Needspaceforlego · 19/08/2025 16:23

And now Ive thought about all your water sports, what's ths alternative for buoyancy aids?

What are we dressing anyone who works outdoors in?

Needspaceforlego · 19/08/2025 16:20

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 19/08/2025 15:31

It is often engineered in sportswear to be breathable.

I don’t know about Lululemon. But if it’s proper active sports wear it should wick away sweat and moisture.

Show quote history

Agreed, same with outdoor wear.

Who wants to go skiing in wool coats?

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 19/08/2025 15:31

healthyteeth · 18/08/2025 21:01

It may be lightweight etc but exercising is the worst time to wear polyester/plastic as when you sweat/get warm it ‘activates’ the plastic fibres making them even more toxic for us. All those LuLu Lemon-style skin tight leggings have to be the absolute worst as they are right up against your skin.

Show quote history

It is often engineered in sportswear to be breathable.

I don’t know about Lululemon. But if it’s proper active sports wear it should wick away sweat and moisture.

Swipe left for the next trending thread