Laundry Wastewater Research Articles

Quantification of textile microfibers from laundry wastewater using the Rock-Eval® device: Difference between natural and synthetic microfiber origin

Synthetic textiles constitute a significant emission source of microplastics into the environment release by mechanical abrasion during laundering. Only a portion of these microfibers is retained in wastewater treatment plants, and major issues to identify and quantify microfibers remain because of their nature, shape, and size. Most widespread natural (cotton, linen) and synthetic (polyester PET, nylon polyamide PA, viscose) textiles were first analyzed using a pyrolysis and oxidation based-method: the Rock-Eval® device. In this study, a novel procedure based on Rock-Eval® parameters was carried out for relative mass quantification of textile microfibers emitted from washing machines.Specific linear regressions of Rock-Eval® parameters were first defined for each investigated natural and chemical fibers. Furthermore, it was verified that Rock-Eval® results are not affected by the polymer shape (fiber vs. pellet) and the nature of the fiber (cotton vs. polyester). Results also confirm that the Tpeak parameter can be considered as a useful characteristic to distinguish between natural (cotton, linen) and chemical (polyester PET, nylon PA, viscose) fibers. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied and able to evaluate the relative mass concentration of natural and synthetic fibers in several real case laundry wastewaters pre-filtered on a silica membrane.

Microplastics removal from a hospital laundry wastewater combining ceramic membranes and a photocatalytic membrane reactor: Fouling mitigation, water reuse, and cost estimation

The release of microplastics (MPs) through industrial laundry wastewater accounts for 35 % of global MPs emissions into the environment and it is a significant environmental problem, especially because MPs can absorb contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from garments. This study is the first to evaluate and perform a cost estimation of the MP removal from hospital laundry wastewater (HLWW) using a combination of ceramic membranes and a pilot-scale photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) as a fouling mitigation strategy. The HLWW, from a hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, contained a total organic carbon (TOC) of 345 mg L⁻1 and 1.4 × 106 MP L−1, mainly of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) ranging between 100 and 200 μm in size. The pre-treatment with an ultrafiltration (UF) ZrO₂ membrane successfully removed 96 % of MPs and over 98 % of suspended solids and turbidity at an estimated cost of 0.45 US$ per m3 of permeate. In the PMR stage, ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV LED) irradiation reduced irreversible fouling, improving permeate flow and minimizing the need for chemical cleaning. The Ce–Y–ZrO2/TiO2 photocatalytic membrane achieved over 99 % removal of turbidity, colour, and suspended solids, as well as 99.9 % removal of MPs, allowing the potential effluent reuse within the hospital laundry. Additionally, the retentate from the PMR process had lower TOC, easing the discharge of this concentrated stream. The cost estimation demonstrated that the photocatalytic degradation combined with traditional techniques, i.e. backflush and chemical cleaning, is more economical than using these techniques separately. Therefore, the total treatment cost was 1.09 US$ per m3 of permeate, which is lower than the cost of fresh water in Denmark. In conclusion, this innovative treatment strategy offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for HLWW management, not only reducing water consumption by enabling water reuse in the hospital laundry but also advances towards achieving net-zero liquid discharge and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals for clean water (Goal 6) and climate action (Goal 13).

The Influence of Fibers from Domestic Laundry Wastewater on the Clogging Process of a Filter

This study presents the impact of the size and shape of particles in laundry wastewater on the clogging process of a porous material. Clogging can be defined as a mechanical limitation of flow through porous media. The process of mechanical clogging was investigated in this study. The research was conducted in laboratory conditions in a filter column filled with glass beads whose diameter corresponded to coarse sand. The results reveal the influence of graywater quality on filter hydraulic conductivity and bed clogging, showing the impact of fiber particles in wastewater (sewage from home laundry) on the clogging process in soil. The results confirm that fiber particles significantly reduce filter permeability, particularly due to the formation of a filter cake. As analyzed in this paper, the distribution of quantitative data on particles of different sizes found in laundry wastewater indicates that they mainly accumulate in the upper layer, where particles with fiber lengths ranging from 0 to 1600 µm can be found. The average length of the fibers decreased with increasing depth. At a depth of approximately 10 cm, fibers with dimensions in the range of 0 to 100 μm were predominantly observed.

Application of central composite design for commercial laundry wastewater treatment by packed bed electrocoagulation using sacrificial iron electrodes

This research paper deals with a novel method utilizing packed bed electrocoagulation (PBEC) comprising of sacrificial iron electrodes and coupled with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) used as flocculent agents for the treatment of commercial laundry wastewater (LWW).The study employs stainless steel cathodes, graphite anodes, and scrap iron pieces as sacrificial electrodes, ensuring efficient treatment in dynamic batch mode operation with enhanced contact time facilitated by serpentine flow. The initial characteristics of LWW were COD 579 ± 30 mg/L, TSS of 60 ± 10 mg/L, TS of 622 ± 20 mg/L, turbidity of 110 ± 5 NTU, pH of 9 ± 0.5, NPEOs of 570 ± 150 μg/L and conductivity of 494 ± 20 mS/cm. The results demonstrate effective removal of turbidity (98 ± 2%), TS (95 ± 3%), COD (89 ± 5%), and NPEOs (53 ± 2%) under optimized current intensity: 2.99 A, treatment time: 58.8 min and enhanced EPS dose from 5.8 mg/L to 8.0 mg/L. The economic feasibility analysis reveals energy consumption as the primary expenditure, with a treatment cost of 1.20$CAN/m3. This research introduces sustainable treatment for commercial LWW, meeting Quebec's reuse standards, implying reuse potential and responsible wastewater management.

Influence of interelectrode distances in electrocoagulation: is there any possibility and advantages to operate at micro-distances with low-conductivity effluents?

It has been proposed for the first time to investigate the possibility to implement micro-inter-electrode distances in electrocoagulation (EC) in order to improve both the treatment and energy efficiencies compared to conventional EC cells with centimetric distances. The study has been performed in a microfluidic monopolar flow-by filter-press cell for the treatment of simulated and real low-conductivity (0.5–1 mS cm−1) laundry wastewaters. The influences of interelectrode distance (delec) (100–10,000 μm), applied current density (japp) (10–200 mA cm−2), and types of anode materials (iron, aluminium and stainless steel) have been studied. The removal of representative organic pollutant (i.e., paracetamol at 15 mg L−1) as well as of total organic carbon (TOC) content (312 mg-C L−1) from actual wastewater was noticed, including at micro-distances. Optimal treatment capacities were obtained with delec of 0.5 mm (57% TOC removed), 3 mm (58% TOC removed) and 10 mm (41% TOC removed) and with japp of 70 mA cm−2, 40 mA cm−2 and 20 mA cm−2 respectively, using stainless steel anode. It led to reduced energy requirement at micro-distances (16 kWh g-TOC−1 at 500 μm) compared to millimetric gap (19 kWh g-TOC−1 at 3 mm, 40 kWh g-TOC−1 at 10 mm). Contrastingly, more sludge was generated with micrometric distance (172 g-sludge g-TOC−1 at 500 μm) compared to larger gaps (95 g-sludge g-TOC−1 at 3 mm, 87 g-sludge g-TOC−1 at 10 mm) due to higher optimal japp at low distances. The efficiency was maximal with an aluminium electrode, but this anode remained inapplicable with micro-distances using the current reactor design, given the high sludge production between the cathode and anode.

Potensi Batang Pisang sebagai Media Filter pada Pengolahan Air Limbah Laundry

Banana stems have the potential to be used as filter media in the laundry wastewater treatment process. Laundry wastewater will contain hazardous substances that have the potential to pollute the environment if it is not treated adequately before disposal. Considering the fact that banana stems have a high hygroscopic capacity and cellulose content which is capable of absorbing inorganic chemicals, the use of banana stems as a filter media is considered a realistic option. The research method used is the filtration reactor method, and there are differences in the amount of time invested and the thickness of the banana stem, which can range from 20 to 40 centimeters. There were differences in the decrease in the parameter values of pH, COD, TSS, phosphate, and MBAS with variations in the thickness of the banana stem media. The largest decrease in pH observed occurred at a media thickness of 40 centimeters. Based on the research results, it was found that there was variation in the extent to which parameters were reduced overall. A one-day soak is the most effective way to reduce the severity of these properties. In addition, research findings show that banana stems are not effective enough in processing laundry wastewater.

Mitigating Microfiber Pollution in Laundry Wastewater: Insights from a Filtration System Case Study in Galle, Sri Lanka

Synthetic fibers are widely used in daily life due to their durability, elasticity, low cost, and ease of use. The textile industry is the primary source of synthetic microfibers, as these materials are mostly used in production processes. Globally, plastic pollution has been identified as a major environmental threat in this era, since plastics are not degradable but break down into smaller particles such as mesoplastics, microplastics, and microfibers. Synthetic microfiber pollution is a significant issue in aquatic ecosystems, including oceans and rivers, with laundry wastewater being a major source. This problem is particularly pressing in cities like Galle, Sri Lanka, where numerous tourist hotels are located. Despite the urgency, there has been a lack of scientific and systematic analysis to fully understand the extent of the issue. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the generation of microfibers from laundry activities at a selected hotel and evaluating the efficiency of a laundry wastewater filtration system. This study focused on a fully automatic front-loading washing machine (23 kg capacity) with a load of 12 kg of polyester–cotton blend serviettes (black and red). Samples (1 L each) were taken from both treated and untreated wastewater during four wash cycles, with a total of 100 L of water used for the process. The samples were filtered through a 100 μm sieve and catalytic wet oxidation along with density separation were employed to extract the microfibers, which were then collected on a membrane filter paper (0.45 μm). Microfibers were observed and analyzed for shapes, colors and sizes under a stereo microscope. Results revealed that untreated laundry wastewater contained 10,028.7 ± 1420.8 microfibers per liter (n = 4), while treated wastewater samples recorded 191.5 ± 109.4 microfibers per liter (n = 4). Most of the microfibers observed were black and white/transparent colors. Further analysis revealed that 1 kg of polyester–cotton blend fabric can generate 336,833 microfibers per wash, which was reduced to 6367 microfibers after treatment. The filtration unit recorded an impressive efficiency of 98.09%, indicating a remarkably high capacity for removing microfibers from wastewater. These findings highlight the potential of such filtration techniques to significantly reduce microfiber emissions from laundry wastewater, presenting a promising approach to mitigating environmental pollution from microfibers.

An innovative strategy for polyester microplastic fiber elimination from laundry wastewater via coupled separation and degradation using TiO2-based photocatalytic membrane reactor

Microplastics (MPs) pollution, particularly from polyester microplastic fibers (PMPF) released during laundry processes, has become a significant environmental issue. This study explores an effective solution for rejecting and degrading both simulated and real PMPF in laundry wastewater using a TiO2-based photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR). The immobilized-PMR integrates an Ag-decorated TiO2 (Ag-TiO2) catalyst onto an Al2O3 ceramic membrane, combining the photocatalytic capabilities of TiO2 with the enhanced efficiency provided by silver nanoparticles’ plasmonic effect. This setup aims to optimize PMPF degradation under ultraviolet-C (UVC) light irradiation. The performance of the immobilized-PMR was assessed with simulated and real laundry wastewater containing PMPF. Results showed that the Ag-TiO2 catalytic membrane achieved up to 99.9 % rejection of both simulated and real PMPF, and a 23.2 % degradation rate of simulated PMPF after 48 h of UVC irradiation. Detailed morphological analyses via FESEM and chemical characterization through FTIR and GC/MS confirmed substantial degradation of polyester fibers. This study demonstrates the potential of the TiO2-based immobilized-PMR as a scalable, efficient solution for mitigating fibrous MP pollution in wastewater. The approach combines photocatalytic degradation with membrane filtration, effectively rejecting and degrading fibrous MPs, thereby reducing their environmental impact.

A novel bio-coagulation/co-digestion/pyrolysis scheme for banana pseudostem waste management: techno‑economic and sustainability approaches.

While several studies have focused on utilizing banana pseudostem waste (BPW) for wastewater treatment via bio-coagulation, this process still suffers from secondary pollution caused by the disposal of generated sludge. To avoid this pollution transfer issue, this study is the first to focus on the recyclability of post-coagulation sludge (PCS) to recover added-value products. For this purpose, BPW was used as a model bio-coagulant for the decontamination of laundry wastewater (LWW), followed by anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis schemes to recover biogas and biochar, respectively. In the first experiment, BPW succeeded in removing 55.44 ± 1.21%, 90.40 ± 3.09%, and 78.13 ± 2.44% of chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, and surfactant, respectively, at the optimized condition (pH = 3.5, dosage = 2.34 g/L, stirring speed = 160.6 rpm, and settling time = 55.5 min). Inoculating the spent bio-coagulant with cattle manure (CM), with a mixing ratio of 1:1 (w:w), showed a biogas yield of 110.33 ± 6.02 mL/g COD. The synergetic effect of spent coagulant and microbes of CM was further validated by performing a COD mass balance, showing that about 31.52 ± 1.63% of CODfeed was converted to bio-CH4 (as COD). Further, the thermal treatment of digestate was successfully employed for biochar recovery at a yield of 0.58 ± 0.05 g biochar/g dry digestate. The study also revealed that the triple LWW treatment/biogas/biochar strategy could gain economic benefits with a payback period of 4.4 years. Hence, BPW could be used as a promising feedstock for pollution reduction, energy generation, and gaining profits.

Efficiency with Constructed Wetlands System Using Water Ferns (Azolla microphylla) to Treat Laundry Wastewater

This research aims to analyze the efficiency of processing liquid waste from the laundry industry using the Free Water Surface Constructed Wetland (FWS) system with Azolla microphylla plants. The research method used is experimental research by manipulating independent variables and controlling other relevant variables, as well as observing the effect on the dependent variable. Laundry waste samples were taken from Berkah Laundry, Puri Gading, Bekasi. The results showed that the biomass of Azolla microphylla plants increased significantly from day 0 to day 12, with a growth rate between 0.0289 – 0.0477 grams/day and plant density between 185.19 ind/m2 – 277.78 ind/m2. The influent BOD concentration of laundry liquid waste during the acclimatization stage ranged from 5.89 – 10.54 mg/L, while the effluent BOD ranged from 4.35 – 6.98 mg/L, with the highest efficiency reaching 33.8%. The constructed wetland system with Azolla microphylla plants has proven to be effective in reducing pollutant content in liquid waste, with a BOD removal efficiency of 11.1% - 17.7% and COD of 14.5% - 39%. The conclusion of this research is that the use of artificial wetlands with Azolla microphylla plants can be an effective and environmentally friendly alternative solution for processing liquid waste from the laundry industry. The implications of this research show the potential for applying constructed wetland technology in the clothes washing industry to reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment.

Optimising microplastics analysis for quantifying and identifying microplastic fibres in laundry wastewater

Current methods for measuring microplastic fibres (MPF) are cumbersome, time consuming and unscalable for routine high throughput analysis. This study reports a method for rapidly extracting, quantifying and analysing MPFs in laundry wastewater with several key improvements which vastly enhance overall efficiency and scalability of analysis. FT-IR surveying is employed as a preliminary step in analysis to quickly determine what polymers are present in a sample prior to fluorescence treatment. Using random quadrating, whole 25 mm filter membranes were surveyed in <30 min with high recovery rates. In industrial laundry wastewater samples, polyester was the most common MPF, however acrylic, nylon, cotton and rayon were all ubiquitous. The study also demonstrates that an excitation wavelength of 365 nm was optimal for fluorescing PET fibres like polyester which were stained with Nile Red, but not 495 nm, which is commonly used in microplastic analysis. Finally, a custom ImageJ macro was written to automatically enumerate and describe MPFs on filter membranes using just a single stitched fluorescence image. In just a few seconds, concentrations of up to 40,000 fibres/L were analysed in industrial laundry wastewater samples with a lower particle size limit of 20 μm. This study highlights the need for more optimised and scalable analysis workflows which maintain high levels of reliability and accuracy.

Characterization and treatment of industrial laundry wastewaters: a review

Characterization and treatment of industrial laundry wastewaters: a review

Hybrid process combining ultrafiltration and electro-oxidation for COD and nonylphenol ethoxylate removal from industrial laundry wastewater

Laundry wastewater is a significant source of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO) at wastewater treatment plants, where its breakdown forms persistent nonylphenol (NP). NP poses risks as an endocrine disruptor in wildlife and humans. This study investigates the degradation of NPEO and COD in industrial laundry wastewater (LWW) using a two-stage process combining ultrafiltration (UF) and electro-oxidation (EO). UF was used to remove suspended solids, while soluble COD (COD0 = 239 ± 6 mg.L−1) and NPEO (NPEO0 = 341 ± 8 μg.L−1) were oxidized by the EO process. Different operating parameters were studied such as current density, electrolysis time, type of cathode and supporting electrolyte concentration. Using an experimental design methodology, the optimal conditions for COD and NPEO3-17 degradation were recorded. This included achieving 97% degradation of NPEO3-17 and 61% degradation of COD, with a total operating cost of 3.65 USD·m−3. These optimal conditions were recorded at a current density of 15 mA cm−2 for a 120-min reaction period in the presence of 4 g·Na2SO4 L−1 using a graphite cathode. The EO process allowed for reaching the guidelines required for water reuse (NPEO <200 μg.L−1, COD <100 mg.L−1) in the initial laundry washing cycles. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that both NP and NPEO compounds, including higher and shorter ethoxylate chains (NPEO3-17), were effectively degraded during the EO process, with removal efficiencies between 94% and 98%. This confirms the EO process's capability to effectively degrade NP, the by-product of NPEO breakdown.

Ability of Ceramic Composite Beads as a Pre-treatment for Laundry Wastewater and Preparation of the Process

Abstract The escalating demand for laundry services, particularly in university districts, has raised concerns about its impact on biodiversity. The situation becomes even more critical when wastewater is discharged into drainage systems without adequate treatment. This study aimed to enhance laundry wastewater treatment by employing ceramic composite beads using ceramic sanitary ware waste and chitosan. The investigation began by characterizing laundry wastewater to identify its specific attributes. Subsequently, the study quantified the removal of zinc as a metal during the laundry wastewater treatment process. Laundry wastewater characteristics were assessed using various parameters, including pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and turbidity. The result revealed that the treatment of laundry wastewater with ceramic composite beads adsorbent successfully achieved over 50 % reduction in zinc concentration. These findings showed that the ceramic composite bead exhibited an efficiency for metal removal from the laundry wastewater for safe disposal.

Transformation of polyester fibre microplastics by sulfate based advanced oxidation processes

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are a potential solution to microplastics (MPs) polluted wastewater but incomplete degradation can result in the formation of smaller fragments with altered surface chemistry. In this work, the impact of sulfate based oxidation on polyester MPs was investigated. Light, heat and ultrasound activation of persulfate resulted in varied degrees of mass loss and surface degradation, as probed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Ultrasonic activation of persulfate resulted in significantly increased fragmentation and formation of smaller microplastic fibrils. Optimised UVC/peroxydisulfate (UVC/PDS) treatment (31.8 mW cm−2, 500 mg L−1) resulted in an 18.5% mass loss over 9 h with clear surface pitting and cracking. Extended treatment under these conditions for 24 h did not result in significantly increased mass loss but did cause an increased degree of surface degradation and increased roughness, indicating that incomplete mineralisation is likely in wastewater systems accompanied by MP transformation. The influence of a real laundry wastewater matrix was also studied and a decreased rate of mass loss was observed due to competing radical reactions with the organic content of the wastewater. Results advance understanding and therefore contribute to mitigating water pollution by MPs, since their physical and chemical transformation in real water treatment systems substantially affects the interaction with organic contaminants and changes the potential environmental risk of MPs.

Phytoremediation of laundry wastewater using Pistia stratiotes and recycling of spent plant biomass for sustainable biomethane production

This study investigates the decontamination of laundry wastewater (LWW) using Pistia stratiotes via phytoremediation and recyclability of residual macrophyte biomass for enriched bio-CH4 production. Phytoremediation was performed using a hydroponic system. The optimum phytoremediation factors were LWW concentration = 79.4 %, plant density = 4 plants/reactor, and retention time = 12.9 days. This condition offered maximum removal efficiencies of 82.32 ± 3.59 %, 67.19 ± 2.90 %, and 70.34 ± 3.56 % for NH4+, COD, and PO43−, respectively. The residual P. stratiotes biomass (RPSB) was anaerobically co-digested with buffalo dung (BD) at 1:1 (w/w, wet basis) for enriched bio-CH4 production, achieving a maximum cumulative bio-CH4 yield of 696.84 ± 35.82 mL/g-VS. The modified Gompertz kinetic model fitted well to the anaerobic co-digestion experimental data with R2-value = 94.4 %. The integrated phytoremediation/co-digestion scheme succeeded in promoting social well-being through improved water quality, clean energy recovery, and benefiting the environment through carbon footprint emission reduction. These outputs achieved multiple targets of sustainable development goals.

Reduksi Kandungan Zat Aktif Anionik dalam Limbah Laundry dengan Memanfaatkan Kombinasi Zeolit dari Tongkol Jagung dan Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The increasing environmental pollution is one of the consequences of human activities that continue to expand. The environment has limitations in coping with pollutants generated by humans, such as waste from the laundry industry. This research aims to evaluate the combined effect of zeolite produced from corn cobs and the use of microorganisms capable of degrading anionic surfactants, with the goal of reducing the concentration of anionic surfactants in laundry wastewater. The methods used include adsorption using corn cobs as adsorbents and biodegradation using surfactant-degrading bacteria. Morphological observations using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) indicate that the produced zeolite has a crystal structure that stacks up like clumps of cubes. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that zeolite synthesized with a silica extraction ratio from corn cobs and sodium aluminate of 20:20 mL has been successfully conducted. The biodegradation process of anionic surfactants in laundry wastewater using a combination of synthesized zeolite and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria employing the Methylene Blue Alkyl Substance (MBAS) method has shown a decrease in concentration to 1.66 mg/L and degradation of 33.55%, especially in sample 3 with variations of 7.5 grams of corn cob zeolite and 15% microorganisms, during a 5-day experiment.

The use of Carica papaya seeds as bio coagulant for laundry wastewater treatment

The study aims to analyze the effectiveness of wastewater treatment by using Carica papaya seeds as bio coagulants to diminish total suspended solids (TSS) and excess phosphate. This method has some advantages because it does not use chemical materials, is simple to apply, and is safe for the environment and human health. The wastewater samples were taken from an active laundry site in Palembang City, South Sumatra Province of Indonesia. The study found that the best dosage of coagulant was 3 g for the wastewater samples. The pH and BOD parameters showed slight changes after treatment, with pH 7.63–7.19 and 33–27 mg/L values, respectively. The TSS removal efficiency ranged from 9.3 to 15.6%, while the COD and phosphate removals were obtained from 11.7 to 39.3% and 56.3 to 68.4%, respectively. The treated TSS, COD, and phosphate concentrations have met the Indonesian domestic wastewater quality standard and environmental protection organization (EPO) guidelines. In addition, the statistical analysis and t-test showed significant differences (p < 0.05) for before and after treatment data of all parameters. The ANOVA test showed significant differences (p < 0.05) for all parameters among the three treatments. Overall, the study indicated that C. papaya seeds are promising materials that are eco-friendly and useful to treat laundry wastewater.

The Use of Granular Activated Carbon and Zeolite as an Adsorbent to Reduce the Concentration of Phosphate, Chemical Oxygen Demand and Total Suspended Solid in Laundry Wastewater

The Use of Granular Activated Carbon and Zeolite as an Adsorbent to Reduce the Concentration of Phosphate, Chemical Oxygen Demand and Total Suspended Solid in Laundry Wastewater

Ceramic membranes as a potential high-performance alternative to microplastic filters for household washing machines

The development of effective, commercially available microplastic filters has become more important due to the steady increase in microplastic emissions from laundry washing cycles and the stringent regulations enforced in many countries. In this present study, commercially available microplastic filters and alternative membranes were thoroughly investigated with real laundry wastewater based on their microplastic filterability and organic contaminant retention. The microplastic filterability of each filter and membrane was assessed using a fluid imaging microscopy device, known as FlowCam, which is recognized for its rapid and realistic quantification. As a result, commercially available microplastic filters revealed a poor microplastic filtering performance, with a removal efficiency of only 19.7–24.8%, with no retention of organic contaminants. A subsequent systematic comparison of polymeric and ceramic membranes with smaller pores was thus conducted to explore their potential as effective alternative microplastic filters for household washing machines. While both membranes effectively retained microplastic fibers and organic contaminants, the ceramic membrane exhibited lower susceptibly to fouling due to its relatively hydrophobic surface. Additionally, it also removed a significant proportion of hydrophobic compounds from real laundry wastewater, thereby improving its organic retention. Further research into the convenient cleaning, long-term sustainability, and practical design of mountable ceramic membranes is necessary before their widespread adoption as external washing machine filters.