CLEANR: Proudly Born in Cleveland

From Case Western Reserve University to protecting the Great Lakes, CLEANR is making Cleveland the center of the fight against microplastics.

Our Cleveland Story

CLEANR was developed at Case Western Reserve University’s Sears think[box], right here in Cleveland. Surrounded by world-class researchers, innovators, and a passionate community, we built the best washing machine microplastic filter.

Laundry is the top source of microplastic pollution worldwide, and we believe Cleveland can be the ground zero in the fight. Watch to hear Max, CLEANR Co-Founder, CEO, and Ohio-native, talk about why CLEANR was started and how we are proud to call Cleveland home.

  • CLEANR was founded in 2022 by three Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) students at the Sears think[box], the nation’s largest innovation centers. From the very beginning, CLEANR has been proud to call Cleveland home.

  • In June 2025, we officially launched at the Great Lakes Science Center, surrounded by local leaders, innovators, and global voices committed to protecting our most precious freshwater resources.

  • Our journey has been shaped by Northeast Ohio’s incredible ecosystem of researchers, partners, and advocates. We have recently collaborated with CWRU and the University of Akron to rollout our university filtration program, capturing microplastics and involving students in sustainability. We love the Ohio community and feel united by a passion for science, sustainability, and innovation.

  • Most recently, CLEANR was honored with the Best in Tech Award from the Greater Cleveland Partnership, recognition that our Cleveland-born innovation is making a global impact.

  • Cleveland is the perfect city to lead the fight against microplastics: located on the shores of Lake Erie, at the heart of the Great Lakes, and home to a community that values protecting our water for future generations.

Launched in Cleveland. Worldwide Impact.

The CLEANR Team Proudly Launching at GLCS

Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

This summer, CLEANR joined the Great Lakes Science Center for their Summer of Innovation: Sustainability Event. Families and kids across Cleveland got hands-on with science activities and learned how innovation can protect our water and environment.

Our team loved connecting with the community and showing how cool everyday items (like clothing) can look under a microscope. Seeing Cleveland’s youngest innovators get excited about science reminds us why we do this work: to protect the future of our water for the next generation.

Big thanks to the Science Center team for hosting and to all the kids and families who joined us!

Microplastics in Lake Erie are a Growing Threat

ABC News

Cleveland.com

Spectrum News 1

CLEANR’s Cleveland-Developed Microplastics

Filter for Washing Machines

CLEANR is an easy-to-install filter that connects to your washing machine drain hose and captures over 90% of microplastics from your laundry before they pollute our waterways. It’s time to stop the spread.

Protect our environment, your body, and our future.

Works on any machine Works on any washing machine make or model
Smart App Enabled Smart App Enabled: See your impact and what you're catching!
Self-install 15 minute self‑install, no tools required
Low maintenance Less than 30 seconds of maintenance per week
Inspired by nature Inspired by fish gill filtration
Join the fight Make the world CLEANR

The Cleveland Spotlight

Ideastream Public Media

The Cleveland Water Alliance

Spectrum News 1

Crain’s Cleveland Business