The truth about what happens to our clothes
Have you ever wondered what happens to your clothes when you throw them away?
It’s an uncomfortable question, but an important one.
Many of us assume that clothing will eventually break down and return to the earth. But in reality, much of what we wear today can remain in landfill for decades, or even centuries.
Understanding how long clothes take to biodegrade is one of the simplest ways to make more sustainable choices when building a wardrobe.
What does “biodegradable” actually mean?
A material is considered biodegradable when it can break down naturally through the action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
Over time, it returns to the earth without leaving harmful residues behind.
Natural fibres such as:
- Cotton
- Linen
- Wool
- Silk
can biodegrade under the right conditions.
However, not all clothing labelled as “natural” will fully biodegrade, especially if it contains synthetic components.
How long different fabrics take to biodegrade
The time it takes for clothing to biodegrade depends on the material, the environment and how the garment is constructed.
Here is a general guide:
Natural fibres:
- Cotton: ~1–5 months (in ideal conditions)
- Linen: ~2–6 months
- Wool: ~1–5 years
- Silk: ~1–4 years
Semi-synthetic fibres:
- Viscose/Rayon: ~6 months to several years (varies widely)
Synthetic fibres:
- Polyester: 20–200+ years
- Nylon: 30–40+ years
- Acrylic: 50+ years
These figures can vary significantly depending on landfill conditions, where oxygen and moisture are often limited, meaning even natural fibres can take longer to break down.
The hidden reason clothes don’t fully biodegrade
Even when a garment is made from natural fibres, it may still fail to fully biodegrade.
Why?
Because of hidden plastic components.
These include:
- Plastic buttons
- Polyester thread
- Synthetic elastic
- Plastic labels and trims
These small elements remain long after the fabric has broken down.
In some cases, they can hold the structure of the garment together, slowing decomposition even further.
I experienced this myself when the plastic buttons on an organic cotton shirt melted during ironing, a small detail that revealed a much bigger issue.
You can read more about that here:
When a Plastic Button Undermines a Sustainable Shirt
Why biodegradable clothing matters
When clothing is truly biodegradable, it can return safely to the earth at the end of its life.
This reduces:
• landfill waste
• long-term pollution
• reliance on fossil fuel-based materials
It also supports a more circular approach to fashion, where materials are not simply discarded but allowed to reintegrate into natural systems.
However, for this to happen, garments need to be designed carefully, not just in the fabric but in every component.
Designing clothing that can return to the earth
At Beautiful Benevolence we believe sustainability should extend beyond the surface.
It is not enough for a garment to look natural, it should be thoughtfully designed so that it can break down naturally over time.
This means considering:
- Fabric
- Thread
- Elastic
- Buttons
For example, our SAGE biodegradable scrunchie is made using Liberty cotton fabric, a natural rubber stretch core and plastic-free construction.
It is designed to avoid the hidden plastics that are so common in everyday accessories.
You can also read more about our approach here:
Why sustainable clothing should avoid plastic components
A gentle shift towards more sustainable wardrobes
The goal is not perfection.
Very few wardrobes can become fully sustainable overnight.
But understanding how long clothes take to biodegrade can help guide better, more intentional choices.
Choosing natural fibres
Repairing garments
Avoiding hidden plastics
Buying less, but buying better
These small decisions build a wardrobe that works in harmony with both your life and the planet.
A final thought
Clothing should not outlive us in landfill.
And yet, much of it does.
By choosing garments made from natural, biodegradable materials and by paying attention to even the smallest details we can begin to change that story.
Because sustainability is not only about what we wear today.
It is about what we leave behind tomorrow.