How are soiled, everyday crew garments typically disposed of after use on the ISS?
Answer
Loaded into cargo containers burned up during atmospheric re-entry
Laundry as understood on Earth is completely abandoned for everyday clothing management in space. Garments worn until they are deemed hygienically spent are placed into specialized airtight bags. These bags of soiled clothing are then loaded into cargo containers designated for return trips. Upon the arrival of these containers near Earth, they are intentionally subjected to the destructive process of atmospheric re-entry, where the container and its contents are burned up completely, serving as the final disposal method for heavily used textiles. Specialized items, such as pressure garments or suits, are handled differently and returned to Earth for cleaning and reuse.
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