Do You Wash New Clothes Before Wearing Them?
Last night, The Girl came home with a new pair of pants and a top she had just bought and as she went out the door this morning I noticed she was wearing them.
Mavis: “Did you wash those?”
The Girl: “No.”
Mavis: “How could you not wash those clothes before wearing them? Do you know how many cooties {not to mention chemicals} have been on that fabric?”
The Girl: Rolls her eyes
Mavis: “No seriously, stop and think about it. First the fabric has to be made, then shipped somewhere and cut {by people? machines?} then it probably gets thrown in a giant bin {that probably never gets sanitized} then someone has to sew the fabric together {probably in multiple stages, by multiple people} then the garment has to get tagged, packaged, shipped across the world, unpacked, and then put on display somewhere for oodles of people to touch until someone finally purchases it.”
“I’m pretty sure by the time you put those jeans on they are riddled with cooties.”
The Girl: “Eh…”
Mavis: “Seriously?”
******************
So. Inquiring minds want to know. Do you wash new clothing before you wear it? Or are you part of the “Eh…. If it hasn’t killed me yet” crowd. And if you DO wash clothing before it’s worn, do you have any exceptions to this rule?
I need to know.
~Mavis
Wendy L says
Wash EVERYTHING! The only exception would be coats and then they have to pass the sniff test.
Teresa D says
Yes and no. I bought a glittery top for Christmas that seriously left a trail of sparkles everywhere I went. I wore it before washing, wore it once and have not washed it yet. Cotton items, jeans, undies usually yes. Depends on what the item is. Socks, never. They come hermetically sealed! lol. Bigger more important things to worry about. Oh! Anything from a resale shop: always!
Wendy M says
I always wash second hand clothes before wearing them but I never wash new. That’s part of the allure of brand new clothes. I love the way they feel, the way they look, the way they smell. Sorry, Mavis, I am with the girl on this one. š
Christine says
I agree with you! My husband insists on having everything washed before he wears it. I had never heard of that before! I love the feel of new clothes and hate that after they are washed they don’t feel that way anymore.
Candy C. says
me too..so eh..hahaha
Lauralli says
Same here. Except I do wash undies first and second hand items. I do think clothing is never quite the same look and feel after they’ve been washed.
Pauletta says
I agree with you. I wash everything before I wear it. My mother worked in a garment factory when I was a young girl. I saw the amount of dust/dirt in the building where the clothing was cut, sewn and pressed. Yuck!
Rosaleen says
Absolutely, wash before wearing. Probably more for the chemicals likely involved than the “germs.” The exceptions might be outerwear, as these are worn over other clothing, and dry clean only items. Those one could at least stream to remove some “cooties.”
Tanya says
Same here!
lynne says
Underwears are most definitely washed…shirts and pants, usually not :-). LynneinWI
Faith says
I always wash every piece of new clothing for anyone in the my family before wearing, no exception. My mom always washed everything before wearing. My husband’s family thinks I’m crazy for doing it though.
Kelli says
I always wash everything first. The thing that surprised me is how many people don’t wash their newborn baby clothing, blankets, burp cloths, etc. first! I hate that overload of germs for a tiny little thing that doesn’t have much immunity.
Nicole says
I agree with Wendy – always for second hand but never for new. They will never fit as well again after being washed!
Peg says
Yes, yes, and yes!
Gail C says
Definitely wash before wearing. This was reinforced when one of the grands ended up at the emergency room after wearing an unwashed new shirt. The finishing chemicals that make the garment look so shiny new made her
break out in giant hives.
Pamela says
Every single thing. You don’t know what residual chemicals are left behind. You don’t know the conditions of how the items were shipped. You don’t know how they were handled in receiving at the store. AND last but not least you don’t know what kind of customer handled them (or tried them on) before you at the store.
livingrichonthecheap says
Socks no as they come in a sealed bag, everything else yes. I rarely buy retail except socks and underwear though so everything always gets washed as comes from the thrift store. What do you do with jackets? I bought a brand new Spring jacket and realized I never washed it….
Lynda says
Anything to be worn directly on the skin, yes.
Brand new coats and sweaters, no.
Baby clothing and supplies, yes.
Second-hand clothing, yes, any and all. Maybe twice.
My 20-something daughter doesnāt wash anything before wearingānot even second-hand clothing, and I get the eye-roll when I question that. If she ever has a baby, weāre going to do an intervention!
Diana says
Second hand – always
Any type of undergarment – always
Shirts & pants – maybe
Sweaters/coats anything worn over at least one layer of other clothing – pretty much never š
Emily B. says
New clothes…meh not too worried
Clothes from thrift / consignment and bedding – absolutely
I have no clue how I came to be okay with these arbitrary rules but there you have it.
Patty Ryan says
I’m with Emily on this one:)
Emma says
New clothes no, used clothes yes.
Barb says
I’ll third or fifth or whatever it is at this one. No to new unless it’s jeans I want softened. Yes to every single thing not new
Becky says
Absolutely!
Miriam says
I always wash anything new, clothes or other cloth items. I had a friend have a very bad allergic reaction to new bed sheets. Hives everywhere. I myself have sensitive skin, so I don’t want to take the chance that the fabrics were treated with a chemical I’ll have a reaction to. It doesn’t take that long to wash clothes.
Cait says
Holy moly. Yes.
Every. Single. Thing.
I worked enough crappy retail jobs in college to know how GROSS back stock rooms are. Not just dust…..ugh.
Judy Johnson says
Definitely yes, as others have said for sizing chemicals mainly. It also shows you how cheaply made the new clothes sold at Target etc are. If they survive three washings in cold water and still resemble what you bought you are very lucky! Our thrift store washes everything and I have never been disappointed with the quality of good brand items chosen carefully there.
Carrie says
It depends on how badly I want to wear it! I usually would wash but if I need the item I will forego washing and just wear the thing! Undies and socks are always washed. I rarely buy clothes these days.
Jennifer says
Absolutely. Not because of germs, but because new fabric is often stiff and a good washing will soften it up. Note: I rarely put new things in the dryer the first few times I wash them. They are air dried on a rack or a hanger. This extends the color and the life of the garment.
Dena says
SEVERAL years ago the CDC was called in to a small town in CA, due an entire population of grade school children developing rashes, plus other symptoms. One of the investigators tracked down the problem. It was the beginning of the school year, & the moms had all gone out to purchase new clothes for the year, including the standard uniform of jeans. These jeans, from several stores, had been shipped by train to the area. Just above the jean ‘compartment’ in the train car, was a ‘compartment’ of liquid farming chemicals, which had leaked, & saturated the jeans. After they ‘dried’, were transported to the stores, the moms bought them, the kids wore them & got sick. Even for underclothes in a plastic wrapper, you never know how, where, or what came in contact with the items, prior to them being ‘wrapped’. And who wants to wear a coat next to their neck and hairline, when you don’t know who has tried it on – lice is easily transferred not only between school kids, but adults also! Wash, wash, or dry clean! Unless of course, you’re just looking to build up your immunity ….
MEM says
Yes, of course! And an extra rinse cycle. As my mother would have said, “you don’t know where it’s been” or who has been wearing it!
Dena says
The book was “Medical Detectives” and was an interesting read. Here’s some more info: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-03-22/news/9703220028_1_dear-abby-dear-john-wash
Jamie says
I think I read this book too as a kid and was thinking of the very same story!!! 30 years ago?
Even if there were no chemicals, most of our clothes or fabric are now made in third world countries. I have loved my travels around the globe, but have been very grateful that I’ve had my travel shots. Let’s just say there are a lot of cultures where culturally they do not often wash their hands, even after pooping in the bathroom.
Nan says
Nope- never; not even sheets, I’m never sick either! I also don’t worry abut touching a cart someone might have used at the grocery store or reading a used book or magazine.
Jennifer says
No cooties will ever survive the chemicals on brand new clothes. I worked in retail clothing store during college and the chemical smell on newly arrived clothes was absolutely toxic. I would never wear unwashed new clothes.
Pauline in Upstate NY says
Anything purchased used, absolutely washed before wearing. Otherwise, shirts, skirts, jeans/pants, sweaters/sweatshirts, coats not washed. Bras or bulk packages of underwear/sox, not washed. Individual pairs of underwear (e.g. Victoriaās Secret), washed. Interesting question!
Ame says
Definitely! Always!
My DS (11) hates the “new clothes smell” and can barely stand to try things on at the store. He also complains if he smells any form of petroleum product in the fabric. Which is becoming more difficult for us since the advent of stretch jeans for boys!
As for myself, I’m sensitive to all the dyes and “stuff” used in fabrics and if I smell any petroleum smell on it, I won’t even buy it because I KNOW it won’t wash out.
The cootie thing…yep. How often have you gone into a dressing room and found clothes in a heap on the floor? Who just throws them on the floor like that? Or how about the “unwashed masses” out there that try on things? Gross. If something looks overly tried on, I won’t touch it.
Can you tell I adore clothes shopping? HA!
Heather says
I wash everything. If it doesn’t fit the same after washing, it’s not worth having and is returned. We don’t wear anything that has to be dry cleaned.
We have two washer/dryers. My husband works with chemicals, so his clothes are done completely separately. His washer/dryer are 30 years old.
Nancy says
We always wash new clothes before wearing. Formaldehyde is one of the most common chemicals the clothes are treated with before shipping.
Torry says
That formaldehyde is in the fabric before they are made into clothing. I worked for a Jantzen Fabric
Outlet and developed the most awful allergic rash. My doctor asked where I worked and then suggested long-sleeved clothing and gloves or quitting the job. He said the only other time he had seen a rash that bad, it was a worker in a funeral home. Ugh.
Which brings me to my answer: I don’t buy it unless it is washable and even fabric is washed upon coming into my house.
Linda Scott Geyer says
I had to watch some documentaries about current sweatshops. The shops are very dusty. When the workers get sick, theyāre still required to work. When workers get those ābugsā that doctors would prescribe rest and/or isolation, these people are required to work often 12-16 hours each day. The ābugsā are colds, flu, lice, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), staph infections, to name a few. PLEASE wash everything, new and used. There are documentaries on google, safari, and YouTube. These shops arenāt secluded to third world countries, theyāve been busted in America.
Karin says
I wash almost everything before wearing but not hand wash or dry clean items (unless it’s used) or coats.
Practical Parsimony says
Linda Scitt Geyer, the pathogens from illness are not active by the time they get to you. I realize that. But, it is disgusting just the same.
I wash most things before wearing. I don’t wash a cardigan or coats. I am very sensitive to chemicals, so taking chances is not wise.
I have been in various cutting rooms and on the floor at sewing rooms. Believe me, everything is dusty if not nasty. No, I did not work there.
When there were massive rolls of fake fur, ready to be cut into baby coats and hats, there was a warning for the cutters about the carcinogenic effect of the fabric. This warning is gone by the time it reaches the sales floor. Beware of buying this item. Sometimes, even adult garments are made from this stuff. Sometimes, it is just fluffy pink fabric, not a fur print at all. Mavis, you might want to remember this for future babies.
debbie in alaska says
Mostly yes. The one exception is coats/jackets. I don’t typically wash those. But anything that touches my skin — heck yeah.
Jeanie says
For the most part, yes. I wash undies and clothes but funny enough I donāt think Iāve ever pre washed socks.
M.B. says
I wash everything except coats and dry clean only clothes (of which we have very few.) I always go deep in the store clothes rack for things like coats or dry clean only in the hopes that I find something that hasn’t been tried on! Yes I’m kind of crazy like that:) My husband loves the smell of new clothes and it was a treat for him growing up to have his very own brand new clothes (he has an older brother and usually got his hand me downs) He thinks I’m crazy to wash everything and I think he’s crazy to wear it straight from the store/bag. We don’t buy a lot of 2nd hand clothes as we are both super tall and it’s hard to find sizes and I would never buy 2nd hand shoes or hats…but I am extremely grateful and appreciative of hand me downs for my kiddos and those come from friends and family and are always washed before we get them, just as we wash all of our clothes before passing them along.
Toni Harper says
Yes! I worked in retail for several years. From the beginning to the end of the garment process, the item has been handled by so many people, been in so many containers, and might have been chemically treated to keep its shape. Once it gets to the store, it’s again handled by many people, dropped on the floor, and tried on before it’s purchased. Trust me, Wash it!
Deborah says
I always wash everything before I wear it. If I donāt, it itch so bad. Donāt know what it is that makes me itch, so, I always wash before wearing. Besides, I donāt know who has tried on what I buy, and . . . Some people donāt wear undies. YUCK !
Katherine says
Yes! Even socks. The number one reason is to wash out the Urea formaldehyde that is used as a chemical finish on clothes to enhance color and texture. It also washes out excess dyes. I even give new bras a hand wash before wearing.
Kimmy says
I wash most new things if they smell chemical-y, the dye seems likely to transfer, or they’re wrinkled (I’d rather wash than iron). But I’ve never been fussy about it, if none of those conditions applied. After reading some of these comments I am going to be fussy. And possibly have nightmares.
Cathi says
Outerwear (even sweaters) usually no but anything that’s going to touch my skin? YES! As a child it was discovered that I was allergic to the finishing used on clothes (new outfit = total body hives) so now I wash it all.
Peggy says
Eh….if you want to wash them, that’s fine, but I think the only cooties you would need to worry about are the ones from the store they were bought from. Germs can only live for so long off a host, so most are gone. š
Ladybug says
I absolutely wash everything before I wear it, except for a winter coat or jacket. When I was about 12 years old I had tried on and bought some sundresses. I don’t think my mom washed them before I wore them for the first time, excited to wear them. A short time later I broke out in a rash and was itchy. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with body lice. My Mother wanted to die, she was very clean and kept an immaculate home, she was beyond embarrassed. The doctor questioned us about new clothes and the sundresses were the only thing new. He explained that it happens when either someone with the lice had tried it on before me or sometimes in the shipping process when clothes are imported from other countries.
I have never forgot this embarrassing and uncomfortable experience.
I had the opportunity to work in a clothing warehouse as a teenager one summer. You are correct things are thrown into dirty bins, transported by dirty trucks. The warehouse I worked in received the clothes in large boxes, we tagged them, hung on hangers, bundled them by size, and off they went.
The other thing I always do is wash off the top of canned food before opening.
Before I cut watermelon, melons, etc. I always wash and even use a small brush to clean off the outside. I also rinse them in vinegar; vinegar kills bacteria of concern and doesn’t affect your food. So much of our food is grown elsewhere and hygienic practices in the fields is far from perfect, E.coli outbreaks are frequently traced back to the fields. Most people don’t think about cutting through external skins, when you do this you drag bacteria from outside into the fruit you are going to eat. Yummy.
Christina says
I bought a new pair of jeans yesterday. Knowing I wanted to wear them today I threw them in the wash. I am 47. My 21 year old daughter would not have washed them.
tia says
Wow. I’m in the minority here. I never wash new clothes before wearing. and I sometimes don’t wash secondhand clothes before wearing! :O
Lindy says
In general I didn’t until I worked in retail for awhile and saw how much things get handled,and tried on. Now I wash everything – except socks, first. I always did wash black things before wearing to make sure any residual dye came out.
Cari Fallis says
Nope.
Amy says
Brand new clothes may be treated with pesticides and other agents to prevent bugs and mildew on the journey across the ocean. I have started washing our clothes prior to wearing them once I learned this. š I never thought of washing sweaters and jackets first though as I didn’t consider them to be in close contact to our skin. I think I’ll start though.
I have noticed that our local thrift stores wash the clothes before displaying them. Since we use unscented laundry soap and vinegar, the scent will remain for approx. 5 washes still. While I love smelling other people’s scented clothes, I couldn’t imagine wearing that all day. I’m not saying everyone should be the same as me, but all those pretty scents are extra chemicals on our skins- something to think about. I think it can also make people “nose blind”. Like a smoker who doesn’t realize how bad smoking smells until they quit.
Heidi says
Love this post Mavis, cracked me up!! LOL I’m totally part of the Eh… crowd unless its from a thrift store! š
Tracy says
I wash everything before wearing it. I even dry clean clothes that require it before weaing them. If you saw the conditions in Chinese or Indian factories, (Iāve been in both as they were clients of the global bank I worked for) where this stuff is made or assembled, you would DIE.
Valerie Barbeau says
I remember watching a CSI episode where people died from a chemical that was used to process jeans…since then everything gets washed,
Glenda says
Absolutely. Every single item we purchase is washed before wearing. It makes my skin crawl to think of wearing something that someone else touched or tried on.
Kristy says
Definitely wash them before you wear them. You never know who might have tried them on in the store. I got to see what sorts of cooties come on new clothes. My mom was looking for a new outfit for a job interview, and ended up with crabs from a pair of slacks she tried on. She only had them on long enough to look at them in the mirror and decide against buying them.
Lisa says
I do not ever buy new clothing and only wash thrift store clothing before wearing if it smells dirty or like perfume. Hasnāt killed us yet! Makes the immune system stronger.
Mary says
Yep.
Chris says
Always, always, always wash before wear.
Vicki in Birmingham says
YES! Always, some things that are made or transported through Third World countries, have germs our systems are not used to…it’s a really good idea to wash first. Cooties AND chemicals…
Kathie says
Off course you wash them. You never know where those new pair of underpants came from
Ida says
I don’t wash my own new clothes because I do like the feeling of NEW that you only get one time before they get washed. However, I always wash everything that I buy for my little one. Partly because of chemicals in new clothes and partly because we often get second-hand clothes for him and I just find they have an off smell that requires a proper rinse (strangely enough my husband doesn’t smell a difference at all – he is SO wrong). And I would never dream of using bedclothes or towels before I’ve washed them.
Julie P says
Iāve never given most of this a thought to be honest but I do always wash my husbandās new shirts and work uniform as he is allergic to most things and some new clothes feel harsh when you buy them. I usually wash new bras of mine and always wash things from the charity shop. From now on, it is rare that we buy anything new, I will be washing everything including socks, they donāt come hermetically sealed here!
Nicole says
Yes, we wash any new clothes we buy, to remove the chemicals they have been treated with. I don’t want my kids wearing clothing that’s got pesticides on it. I realise the items do need to be sprayed to prevent bugs from the manufacturing country entering another country, but I don’t want that chemical absorbing into our skin.
Plus, all those articles recently about mice being found hemmed into the lining of skirts and pants, indicate that the sweatshop conditions are likely rife with vermin…. so that’s why we launder eveyrthing!!
Ellie says
I always wash anything new & especially anything from thrift store/yard sale …. & U never know who goes Commando Ewww and trys the clothes on before you buy them… I don’t like the stiffness or smell of new clothes either. But on our preferences Kids ALWAYS think their invincible awww to be young and know everything… Love reading your Blog daily and wishing you the best on your next chapter of your lives. I guess you can say I live vicariously thru you and your adventures.
Elaine says
I wash everything (except coats) before wearing. I come home from store, all tags come off and everything goes in the wash and I’m teaching my 12yr old the same thing. Not just germs and dust but when I think of how many hands touched it, how many bodies have tried on before me, how many times it’s hit the floor in the store…no way I wouldn’t wash everything.
BETTY D says
Wash before wearing as some of the clothes have been tried on by people
and Ive heard of people buying them..wear them one day and bring them
back , just saving the receipt. So wash them…
Kim Campbell says
ALWAYS. When I was a kid I wore a pair of brand new shorts that didn’t get washed first. It was summer and they STUNK after awhile from all that sizing crap they put in new clothes. After working in clothing stores I always try to look for things in my size that my not been tried on. People are gross. I took dirty diapers out of dressing rooms and picked up inside out, wadded up, $200 pieces of clothing off the dressing room floors.
Linda says
Reading all these posts, I will start washing everything, I always washed baby clothes, and anything secondhand, but didn’t ever wash new clothes. I think someone who said cooties wouldn’t survive the chemicals may be right, but just the thought of all those chemicals has made me a believer. Thanks, Mavis
Donna in VA says
How can someone who spends so much time digging in dirt be so germ-o-phobic?
Cheri says
Oh, yes, I wash everything I buy, unless it’s very delicate or requires dry cleaning. Then I may not the first time. Underwear and bathing suits get washed 100% of the time before I wear. Who knows who did what with it from the factory to the cash register?
Cass says
I wash anything that directly touches my body….which is 95% of the stuff. I worry more about chemicals then cooties, cuz if it is imported the containers they are shipped in are fumigated to keep real cooties from entering our country.
So about the only exceptions are jackets, coats and fleece “jackets”.
You know what I hate? When I wash a 6 pack of socks and only get 5.5 pairs back from the wash. Really irritating.