Disadvantages of sponge yarn?

Dear Community,
A user on Facebook pointed out to me that sponge yarn sheds fibers in the washing machine, which then end up in the wastewater. In your opinion, is cotton a more sustainable and better option for sponges?

I’d like to know
if sponge yarn releases a significant amount of microplastics into the wastewater!

Hallo Petra, ich habe schon verschiedene Kleinigkeiten mit Schwammgarn gearbeitet. Das mit dem Mikroplastik ist sicher richtig. Schon beim Häkeln fallen kleine Plastikteilchen aus dem Garn. Weshalb ich es auch nur noch Indoor verhäkle. Die Schwämme reinigen aber sehr gut. Es ist auch hygienisch,da man das Garn bis 60° waschen kann.
Ich werde trotzdem kein neues Schwammgarn kaufen.

Yes, it already sheds quite a bit during processing, so some of it is bound to end up in the wastewater during use or when it’s washed as well.

Well, then it’s definitely not for me… it all ends up in the wastewater anyway!
Thanks for the info!

I’ve noticed that there are differences in quality among sponge yarns. One shed a lot just from touching it and while crocheting (it was a soap pouch—I tried it once and then threw it away), while the other shed only slightly when touched or crocheted. That’s why I now only buy sponge yarn in stores where I can feel the yarn for myself.