Guppyfriend Washing Bag

Just like other users, I have struggled with the quality of the zip in this otherwise useful product. I also contacted the company when the first zip went after about six months' use a few years ago, and received an unhelpful response. I have replaced the zip three times now (expensive, and very tedious work) and am now using the mostbheavy-duty plastic one which a local haberdasher could supply. Given that this is clearly a persistent problem, I was hoping that the company would have improved this very expensive product by now. From recent reviews, this is clearly not the case; as other uses have commented, a good idea, poorly executed.

I have two of these bags which I used religiously to begin with and found that quite a lot of fibres collected at the ends of the band at the opening, as promised by the manufacturer. However, like many other reviewers, I found that after a few months of use, the metal tags on the zips broke off, making it extremely difficult to do up or undo the bags. The remaining zip part is quite sharp, so if I still use the bags (which is quite an effort, using my thumb nail to drag the zipper closed), the zip has to be pushed completely under the fabric cover at the end, otherwise it snags on other fabrics in the wash and damages them. I wrote to the manufacturers about this problem and asked them to upgrade the zipper, but after asking me a lot of questions about how I used the bag, what temperature wash I used it with etc, their customer service contact offered to supply another one, post-free. It seems they weren’t offering to supply the bag free, just the postage from Switzerland, as I never received a replacement! I wouldn’t spend another £25 on a sub-standard product. If they improve the zipper, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again as it’s a good idea badly executed.

I listened to the 'Sliced Bread' BBC podcast on eco washing products and I gather that this product is one of the v few with good quality data to support its claims to reduce microplastic pollution. It also protects clothes from wear in the washing machine, so they don't shed as many fibres in the first place. I've used it several times now. Easy to use. I'm very happy with it.

Works really well - until the zip breaks. The first one, the pull tab fell off. The second, I meticulously slid it into the pocket at the end every time I washed, and the zip teeth pulled away from the bag. Won’t be buying another one as they only last about 6 months.

Astonishing shrinkage: alleged size 75x50, after a few washes it went down to 60x40, and from holding a fleece jacket and trousers to just the trousers. Only bit that shrank less is the zip, which makes it difficult to do up. Good idea, but back to the drawing board...

Thought this was such a good idea. The zip tag fell off after a couple of weeks and there is no way of mending it. I contacted the company and they sent me a replacement. The zip fell off again even faster. Until the company puts a heavier duty zip with a secure pull- tag on this product it is useless. Very disappointed. They promise alot , aren't cheap and are useless within weeks.

Use this for washing my synthetics. The zip on my first one has now gone (sadly) but delighted that the new one is bigger.
Have given it to friends as gifts

Big design fault. The zip comes open in the wash making it useless. Given the other reviews about it breaking the washing machine I won’t be using it apart from for a few small items. Nice idea but a big waste of money sadly. It is also too small for a full wash.

Ruined our washing machine...shredded apart and killed the water pump. How is this helping the environment?

Like one of the reviewers above, my machine is also broken due to using this bag. This item needs to come with a BIG warning that filling the bag too much risks breaking the machine. I tried to do the right thing and am seriously out of pocket as a result. And how is the environment served by a prematurely knackered washing machine.

Mostly happy with it! Many reviews mention the amount of clothes that you can fill in - it's true that you have to be careful about not to overfill it, but we are a 2-person household and haven't had any issues with most of our washes.

Cannot give any stars! Followed instructions made sure bag wasn't over 2/3 full so clothes could move. It turns out that clothes can't move when you fill it up to 2/3 so I have not only wasted £25 but now need new watching machine. It may, if it works, save the oceans but the impact on the environment of having to do additional washing or having to replace your machine is far greater.

Great idea, and it does collect fibres in the corners (at the end with the zip), but my zip has long fallen off (making it hard to open and close). Also, it's very small, so you can't get much inside. And jumpers etc tend to come out very creased. It can only be used at 30 degrees too.

Very disappointed. Came with few instructions, so possible I didn't use it correctly. Collected no fibres (maybe all fibres already washed away in earlier washes?). Put a few items in the bag and they remained soggy as didn't spin properly (again, maybe I didn't use correctly). Will try it again on single new garments or will have to find another use for the bag!

It works but have given it 4 not 5 stars as it is not as robust as I hoped. rnrnI had my first bag for 6 months but I washed things too hot (ie over the temp they recommend as I didn't read the instructions properly) and also wasn't terribly careful with it. The zip came off and then the bag developed holes from snagging on our wicker wash basket. rnrnDespite all that it was still capturing some fibres. rnrnI am on my second and will treat it properly this time. I still think, despite the expense, it is worth having these if you want to do your bit to reduce water pollution. It is effective.rnrnAnd I am buying one for my brother, who is a runner so has lots of kit with microfibres!rn

I’ve had mine for a few years now and haven’t had any issues with the zip like other reviewers have mentioned - my zip is still in perfect condition. However I’ve never seen any fibres collected inside the bag so I’ve no idea if it’s actually doing anything.

I bought two a few years back and the zips came off - I still use them by pushing the zips shut with my fingers. I bought another two and made sure I tucked the zips properly under the flaps, and so far so good, the zips are still attached. Time will tell if the zips last, but when the bags are closed they definitely capture and separate out significant amounts of microfibres.

Like several others I liked the bag for the fact that it collected the fibres but mine is just under a year old and the zip has broken: The tag that you pull the zip along with has broken off making it virtually impossible to use.

I have 2 of these bags. I really like them , they do work and collect microfibres. Unfortunately, as with another reviewer, both the zips have gone. One bag is less than a year old, the other maybe two years old. I would give 5 stars for use, but obviously durability not good!

Oh dear, I had two, which helps to equalise the weight in the machine so that it spins properly, and they do protect the delicates very well, but the zips on both have come adrift, making the bags useless for collecting the synthetic fibres. Hadn't had them all that long - just over a year. Is that to be expected? I treat them very gently, and they're quite expensive

This is a good idea but I can’t use this in winter. We line dry our clothes & even with washing ma nine on maximum spin we still get a puddle of water left behind in the machine. Clothes are still very wet & in winter have to.be dried indoors. Have only used twice to date.rnReasonable size bag but have bought 2 I order to fit whole wash into them as very little of our clothes are 100% cotton.

fine if using with jumpers or something that needs cool wash. Bag is made out of a water resistant manmade fibre.DACan dislodge washing machine and therefore wont spin, which defeats the object. HOWEVER, it did collect fibres!!

i use it for my man made materials, and those things that a fragile in the wash.

Was disappointed they were so small, especially as you are only allowed to half fill them. You need to use two with every load in my washing machine or you use too much water. It did not seem to collect anything.rnI soon realised that all the washing has to go in these, because even 100% cotton has silly polyester labels. If you do not put two in they tend to make your machine rock a lot on the spin. because the clothes are not allowed free flow, the drum gets easily unbalanced.

Would rate this zero stars if I could. Just washed 2 fleeces in it. They formed themselves into one sodden lump which would not spin dry properly as the bag created an unbalanced load. Luckily I was at home to stop the spin cycle or it could have broken my washing machine. No fibres to be found inside either. Don’t waste your money. Please, someone, invent something that does the job better.

Great idea, we have 2 now and use them for all or synthetic fabric clothes. Also protects your laundry in the wash.

I’ve used this three times a week for four weeks now and have been extremely pleased with the results: fibres have collected with every wash . It’s shocking,. I just wish they made one big enough to wash large blankets/throws.

I was very disappointed, having used the bag for a variety of clothing types for three weeks and found no fibres at all to clear. Money wasted!

I would have liked to have given this 5 stars as I was initially quite pleased with it when I purchased it in March and probably used it once/twice a week max (I don't have many synthetic items, just a few sportswear and the odd fleece). However, it has already torn in multiple places and I would have thought it would have lasted longer than 4 months.

i bought this in my quest to reduce micro plastics from the tonnes of washing i have to do. i now use this for the washable mattress protector, fleece, recycled plastic clothing and i haven't seen my build up yet, but its microfibres, so feel i need to give it a while. it's expensive but we only have 1 planet so we have to look after it.

I purchase one of these from Germany - very glad Ethical SUperstore now stock them. If your clothes are new you probably won't get many fibres coming off, but most of my clothes are second hand and fleeces are probably the worst culprit for shedding fibres - sadly it was the fleece lining on my cloth nappies that shed the most :(rnBut happy these fibres weren't going into the water system. The bag probably lasted about 18 months before it started to tear rendering it useless but I'm happy to replace it.

I’ve been using a Guppyfriend Washing Bag for over 4 months and yes, it really does work! The fact microfibres from our synthetic clothing ends up in the world’s rivers and oceans should be a huge concern to every one of us. Anything we can do to reduce this problem should be done and now.rnA bonus is the Guppyfriend bag also reduces wear and tear on clothing. rnI recommend this product!

I have used this bag on numerous occasions and have not detected any build-up of fibres inside it at all. Items wash perfectly well but I am not convinced it is stopping any fibres - hence the 2 star rating. I will continue to use it but based on experience so far, it may be a total waste of time.