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Cotton vs polyester

Cotton is a natural plant fiber. Polyester is manufactured from petroleum. That single difference determines most of what follows: how the fabric breathes, how it degrades, and what it leaves in the environment when you wash it.

CottonPolyester
SourceCotton plant — natural plant fiberPetroleum — manufactured synthetic polymer
BreathabilityHigh — absorbs moisture, allows airflowLower — traps heat, wicks moisture to surface
SoftnessSoft from the start, gets softer with washingVariable by weave; can feel stiff or scratchy
Microplastic sheddingNone100,000 to 6.3 million fibers per wash cycle per kg
BiodegradableYes — breaks down in soil and waterNo — persists for hundreds of years
Drying speedSlower — absorbs significant moistureFast — moisture stays on surface and evaporates
Wrinkle resistanceWrinkles easilyWrinkle-resistant
CostHigher than polyesterCheaper to produce
Environmental originAgricultural; water and pesticide use (organic reduces this)Petrochemical; requires crude oil extraction

The microplastics difference

This is the most consequential practical difference. Every time a polyester garment is washed, it sheds plastic fibers. Research published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2021) measured between 100,000 and 6.3 million microplastic fibers released per kilogram of synthetic textile per wash cycle. The particles are small enough to pass through water treatment and have been detected in waterways, marine life, drinking water, and human tissue.

Cotton does not shed microplastics. When cotton fibers fragment, they biodegrade. The environmental footprints of the two fibers are not comparable on this dimension.

Is polyester clothing bad for you?
The research on direct health effects of wearing polyester is limited. What is established is that washing polyester sheds microplastic particles that accumulate in the environment and have been detected in human tissue, including brain tissue and cardiac tissue. Whether exposure at current environmental concentrations causes specific health outcomes has not yet been established.
Is organic cotton better than regular cotton?
Yes. Conventional cotton is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops globally. Organic cotton (certified GOTS or equivalent) is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. For everyday clothing worn against skin, organic cotton is preferable. Both shed zero microplastics.
Is recycled polyester better?
Recycled polyester reduces dependence on virgin petroleum and diverts plastic waste from landfill. It does not reduce microplastic shedding — recycled polyester sheds microplastics at rates comparable to virgin polyester. It is a better production choice, but the end-of-life and washing impact remains the same.
Why does so much clothing use polyester?
Cost. Polyester is significantly cheaper to produce than cotton and most natural fibers. It is also lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and quick-drying, which made it attractive for performance and fast-fashion apparel. The full environmental cost of microplastic pollution was not part of the industry calculation when polyester became dominant.
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