Ionic trash in furnish decreases retention and drainage performance of the microparticle retention system using recycled fibers in closed papermaking system. Two retention systems, such as the microparticle system and the PEO/cofactor system, were compared and analyzed to improve retention. The PEO/cofactor system achieved similar retention performance at low addition level as the microparticle system. Optimum ratio of PEO/cofactor dual polymer system was 1:10. Ash retention was increased when using the fixing agent. As the TMP ratio increased, the PEO/cofactor system was more efficient in retention and drainage than the other system. The high molecular weight and non-ionic polymer retention system had less effect on flocculation hindrance than the traditional electrostatic retention system.