How Astronauts Manage Dirty Clothing on the ISS Amid Water Scarcity and Space Waste Challenges

Why Washing Clothes Isn't an Option for Astronauts on the International Space Station

The Fate of Used Clothing Aboard the ISS

According to Radiotrek — Світ: Astronauts living on the International Space Station (ISS) face unique challenges when it comes to handling worn clothing. Due to the extremely limited water supply in space, laundering clothes is not feasible. Water is one of the most precious resources on the ISS, so astronauts wear their garments multiple times until they are no longer usable, at which point the clothing is discarded along with other space debris.

Because there is no washing machine on the station, crew members continue to wear their clothes as long as they remain in wearable condition. For example, the athletic wear used during their daily workouts typically lasts around two weeks. Astronauts engage in about an hour of exercise each day to maintain their health, which naturally increases clothing wear and tear.

"Water on the ISS is either delivered from Earth or recycled after purification," experts explain.

The station's life support systems can recycle nearly 90% of the water onboard by reclaiming moisture from the air, sweat, and other waste products generated by the crew. However, once clothing becomes too worn to use, it is neither washed nor sent back to Earth.

"Clothing that can no longer be worn is packed into special bags alongside other trash," specialists note.

These waste packages are loaded into cargo spacecraft that have completed their mission and are no longer needed by the station. Most of these vehicles are intentionally deorbited to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean, destroying the discarded items. An exception is the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which is designed to safely return to Earth without burning up during reentry.

By reusing clothing for as long as possible and then disposing of it carefully, the ISS crew effectively manages the problem of dirty garments in an environment where water is scarce.

This process highlights the critical importance of efficient resource use aboard the ISS, where every drop of water and every material counts for sustaining life. Proper disposal of clothing and other waste plays a key role in minimizing space debris, a growing concern for the safety of current and future space missions. Understanding these strategies informs the development of innovative technologies aimed at recycling and reusing materials in space, which will be vital for long-duration exploration beyond low Earth orbit.