What NASA Astronauts Do With Dirty Clothes On The ISS Is Shocking People

Living and working in space sounds like the ultimate adventure: zero gravity, views of Earth from above, and cutting-edge science all around. But beyond the cool factor, space comes with its fair share of practical challenges. And one of the least glamorous ones? Figuring out what to do with your dirty laundry.

Let’s be honest: if you were packing for a long stay on the International Space Station, you’d probably want to bring your entire wardrobe, plus a few backups, just in case. But weight and space are major constraints aboard the ISS.

Every item launched into orbit has to earn its place, and there’s simply no room for an onboard laundromat. So, how do astronauts keep their clothes clean in space? They don’t.

That’s the part that shocked the internet when it came to light. There’s no washing machine spinning quietly in the background. No water-sparing detergent pods.

No manual scrubbing either. Instead, astronauts wear their clothes repeatedly until they’re just too dirty to continue using, and then toss them. Literally.

When clothing items reach their limit, they’re loaded onto cargo spacecraft filled with station trash and sent back toward Earth. But they never make it home.

The capsule enters the atmosphere and burns up, dirty socks and all. It sounds dramatic, but it’s a surprisingly efficient way to deal with the problem when your options are limited.

Laundry is a tricky task for astronauts aboard the ISS

Now, before you cringe, it's worth noting that life aboard the ISS isn’t exactly like spending a week at a music festival. The station is a temperature-controlled, relatively clean environment.

Astronauts don’t sweat much, and dust and debris are tightly managed. So, while the idea of re-wearing clothes without washing might sound gross on Earth, it’s a little less intense up there.

Still, it’s not a free-for-all. NASA has guidelines for how long each item should last. Typically, one polo shirt is expected to survive about 15 days of use. Underwear? Three days. After that, it's headed for atmospheric incineration.

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To help extend the wear time and reduce odor and bacterial growth, some companies have developed special clothes just for space. Japanese brand BEAMS, for example, designed garments for astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s mission in 2020. These weren’t just stylish; more importantly, they were made with quick-drying, antibacterial, and deodorizing materials.

Even with these innovations, space fashion is still governed by utility. Everyday wear like shirts and socks is disposable, but more complex or expensive gear, like spacesuits, is sent back to Earth for cleaning, repairs, or further testing.

The Reality of Space Hygiene

Living in microgravity presents unique challenges, including hygiene management, says Dr. David Saint-Jacques, a Canadian astronaut and medical doctor. He emphasizes that astronauts must adapt to limited resources, where washing clothes isn't feasible due to water scarcity and the complexities of floating water droplets in space.

Instead, astronauts use special garments designed for long-term wear and odour management. These insights underline the importance of innovation in materials science to create sustainable clothing for space missions, contributing to both astronaut health and the environment.

They just don’t do it.

The topic recently made waves online after curious Redditors discovered the reality of astronaut laundry. The reactions ranged from impressed to horrified.

“I was wondering how they didn't get UTIs and boils and whatnot this way,” one user wrote. “Makes sense that they have a special antibacterial requirement for their clothes.”

Another added, “When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut so badly, but the more I learn about their lives, the more I'm glad I didn’t pursue that career. Well, that, and I’m pretty stupid.”

A third asked the question we’re all thinking: “Alright, but how many outfits do they bring? I mean, can you identify an astronaut who’s been in space for too long by whether or not they’re naked?”

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In recent years, NASA has been looking into more sustainable ways to manage clothing hygiene in space. In 2022, they teamed up with Tide to explore the possibility of washing clothes onboard. Tide responded by creating a fully biodegradable detergent designed to work in low-water environments like the ISS.

While the solution is still being tested, it could eventually allow astronauts to wash and reuse their clothes, cutting down on waste, launch weight, and those flaming loads of dirty laundry.

Until then, space hygiene will continue to be one of those weird-but-necessary compromises astronauts have to make. Every part of daily life in space, down to how you wash your socks, gets more complicated when you’re 250 miles above Earth.

Experts in aerospace medicine highlight that the choice to incinerate dirty clothes on the International Space Station is a practical solution to waste management. Dr. Michael Barratt, a NASA astronaut and physician, explains that this method prevents the buildup of bacteria and other contaminants, which could pose health risks.

He suggests that developing better biodegradable materials could further enhance this process. As space exploration expands, understanding waste management in confined environments will be crucial for future missions. Innovations in fabric technology could also minimize waste while ensuring astronaut comfort.

Understanding the Deeper Patterns

The challenges of managing laundry in space reveal the complexities astronauts face daily. As Dr. David Saint-Jacques noted, adapting to an environment where traditional hygiene methods are impractical requires innovation and creativity.

Looking forward, research in materials science and waste management will be vital. Experts suggest that advancements in biodegradable fabrics and efficient recycling systems can significantly improve the quality of life for astronauts while also setting a precedent for sustainable practices back on Earth.