Gain Flings are here to revolutionize your laundry routine! At Gain, we believe in the power of science to bring you fresh, clean, clothes. Our secret? The incredible Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) film that wraps each pod.
The Role of PVA in Laundry Pods
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is a polymer known for its water-soluble properties. When you toss a Gain Flings pac into your washing machine, the PVA film dissolves quickly, releasing the detergent right when it's needed. This ensures an efficient wash every time!
Why PVA is Safe and Effective
Many consumers are concerned about microplastics, but rest assured, PVA is different. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that PVA film does not create microplastics.
| Feature / Characteristic | Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Used in Detergent Films | Most Common Microplastics: Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyamide (PA), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) |
|---|---|---|
| Water Solubility | Detergent-grade PVA has been scientifically confirmed to be: - Water-soluble in laundry and dishwashing conditions [1, 2] - Designed in a way to maximize the solubility of the PVA [2, 3] - Water-soluble [2] at levels 50X higher than you would find in a dishwasher or laundry machine, using the international standard for polymer solubility [4] Detergent grade PVA is so soluble that it dissolves down to the individual molecules, which do not and cannot reform into particles. This means there is no solid surface for toxic substances in the water to adsorb onto. [5, 6, 7] | Microplastics are insoluble [32]. Even the smallest possible fragments are collections of multiple molecules which do not dissolve. This means they can accumulate in bodies of water. This means they have a solid surface to adsorb and transport other toxic chemicals. [8, 9, 10] |
| Biodegradability | Detergent-grade PVA degrades during the normal wastewater treatment process, using universally recognized standard testing methodologies (OECD 301B, 302B). [11, 12, 13] It breaks down consistently and reproducibly across a range of laboratory sites, geographical locations, and under a variety of testing conditions, even in river water. [14] | Microplastics are extremely persistent in the environment, with degradation timelines ranging from decades to centuries, depending on conditions [10] |
| Presence in Water Bodies | Zero evidence of detergent-grade PVA has been found in the aquatic environment, including zero presence found in drinking water [15] | Microplastics have been detected in oceans, rivers, lakes, fish, birds, plankton, and remote areas, and in drinking water [10, 15, 16, 17, 18] |
| Accumulation in Living Species | It is not considered a risk, as it does not accumulate. Detergent-grade PVA has never been found in the human body [19, 20, 21, 30, 31] | Microplastics will accumulate due to their solubility in cells’ fat structures and have been found in most parts of the human body. [10, 21] |
| Presence in the Home Environment | Detergent-grade PVA has never been found in the home environment, even in dishwasher and washing machine use or homes. [1, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26] | Microplastics have been found in numerous household products as solid particles. [1, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26] |
| Toxicity | The environmental safety and human safety of detergent-grade PVA has been confirmed by the EPA, FDA, and other agencies around the world – and it is approved for use in things like detergent pods, eye drops, and the coating of medications. [19, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31] | Microplastics can be harmful to marine life and pose a physical hazard to animals. They can also absorb pollutants due to their solid surface. [7, 8] |
| Generally Recognized as a Microplastic | No, detergent-grade PVA is not generally recognized by the scientific community as a microplastic [10, 32, 33] | Yes, all these materials fit the generally accepted definition and categorization of a microplastic [10, 32] |
Benefits of PVA in Gain Flings
Gain Flings leverage the power of PVA to provide several benefits:
Efficient Cleaning: The PVA film ensures the detergent is released at the perfect moment.
Cold Water Performance: PVA dissolves even in cold water, helping reduce energy usage when you wash in cold.
Scientifically Proven:
Overwhelming science suggests that PVA used in detergent films does not lead to microplastic pollution.
Gain Flings are designed to make your laundry experience as easy and effective as possible. With the power of PVA, that fully dissolves to unleash Gain’s cleaning and scent power, you can enjoy fresh, clean clothes without worrying. So, go ahead and embrace the delightful scent and powerful cleaning of Gain!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PVA and how does it work in laundry pods?
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is a synthetic polymer that dissolves in water, releasing detergent effectively in laundry cycles.
Do PVA films contribute to microplastic pollution?
There is overwhelming scientific evidence that PVA film does not create microplastics.
How do Gain Flings benefit from PVA?
PVA in Gain Flings ensures efficient detergent release and exceptional cleaning. Gain Flings are compact, highly concentrated, and designed for convenience.
Key Highlights
PVA Benefits: PVA dissolves in water, releasing detergent effectively.
Environmental Safety: Overwhelming science suggests that PVA used in detergent films does not lead to microplastic pollution.
Gain Performance: Gain Flings use PVA for enhanced cleaning and freshness.
Reference Links
Lack of Evidence for Microplastic Contamination from Water-Soluble Detergent Capsules
Bound water governs the single-chain property of Poly(vinyl alcohol) in aqueous environments
Microplastics as carriers of toxic pollutants: Source, transport, and toxicological effects
Sorption Behavior and Mechanisms of Organic Contaminants to Nano and Microplastics
Twenty years of microplastic pollution research—what have we learned?
Water soluble polymer biodegradation evaluation using standard and experimental methods
Biodegradability of Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Film Used for Liquid Detergent Capsules
Analytical methods to measure microplastics in drinking water
Plastic Debris in 29 Great Lakes Tributaries: Relations to Watershed Attributes and Hydrology
Chemical composition of microplastics floating on the surface of the Mediterranean Sea
Contribution of household dishwashing to microplastic pollution
Release of Micro- and Nanosized Particles from Plastic Articles during Mechanical Dishwashing
Release of primary microplastics from consumer products to wastewater in the Netherlands
Assessment of Toxicity and Biodegradability of Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Based Materials in Marine Water
International Journal of Toxicology: Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Polyvinyl Alcohol
EPA: Denial of Requested Rulemaking (Section V, B.4a and 4b)
EPA: Denial of Requested Rulemaking (Section V, B.2 and Section V, B.3)


