Do Astronauts Do Laundry in Space? Nope - They Dodge Dirty Clothes Instead

You’re floating in microgravity, trying to navigate through the tight quarters of the International Space Station (ISS), when a sweaty gym shirt comes drifting toward your face.

No escape. No laundry machine to toss it in. Just you, dodging space debris of the worst kind - dirty workout gear.

Astronauts work out daily in space to maintain muscle and bone density, just like on Earth.

The difference? There’s no way to wash their clothes.

Instead, they wear their outfits for as long as they can stand the smell, then toss them into the trash, where they eventually burn up upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

NASA knows this isn’t ideal, especially for long-duration missions to the Moon or Mars.

That’s why they’ve partnered with Tide to develop a fully degradable detergent that could clean clothes in space without wasting water.

Engineers are also exploring advanced fabric technologies that resist odors and stains, extending the wearability of garments.

There’s even work being done on a zero-gravity washing machine because no one wants to wear the same socks for six months straight.

Until then, space travelers will continue their daily game of dodge the floating socks.

And honestly, isn’t it a little sad that most of us can relate more to avoiding laundry than to actually working out?

Maybe it’s time to hit the gym and throw in a load of laundry while we’re at it.