0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 wt% microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) aqueous suspensions were used to impregnate carbon fiber fabric via aspersion and immersion to build cost-effective hierarchical polymer matrix composite laminates with enhanced load carrying capacity.Mechanical performance improvements of 28 and 21% were obtained in terms of ultimate tensile strength for 0.1 wt% MFC suspension via aspersion and immersion routes, respectively.The same impregnation conditions provided increments in tensile toughness of 52 and 31%, respectively, showing the positive role of the nanostructure as a strong interfacial agent.MFC solution aspersion was determined as the best impregnation procedure towards strengthening and toughening of the final product.