Space Station Astronauts Rely on Carefully Planned Laundry Due to Lack of Washing Machines

The International Space Station has no washing machine to clean clothes, so astronauts rely on carefully planned laundry schedules. Each astronaut needs about 72.5 kilograms (160 pounds) of clean clothing per year, which is a significant expense considering every kilogram launched costs money and pushes something else off the manifest.

Astronauts typically pack clean underwear for two days at a time, shirts for five days, and pants for 30 days. They also have to deal with exercise gear that wears out faster due to sweat in microgravity not dripping off but clinging to fabric.

NASA and Procter & Gamble partnered on a Space Act Agreement to develop space laundry solutions. One approach is using detergent compatible with the life support system, while another focuses on preventing clothes from getting foul by using antibacterial and odour-suppressing clothing or treating fabrics to extend their lifespan.