Clothes need a wash before that first wear and dermatologists and textile scientists agree, there’s more than one good reason to run new purchases through the wash first. For some shoppers, the temptation to wear a new outfit straight out of the bag is hard to resist, especially when it’s destined for a special occasion the same day it arrives. But according to dermatologists and textile experts, that habit might be worth breaking. While getting sick from new clothing is extremely rare, there are several other reasons washing before wearing makes sense.
Loose dye can ruin your other clothes
During manufacturing, dyes don’t always bond completely with fabric. Leftover dye sitting on the surface of a garment can transfer onto whatever it touches, whether that’s a camisole worn underneath or a jacket worn over top. The result can be permanent discoloration or staining on items you actually care about.
This is especially true for deeply saturated colors. A brand new red shirt, for instance, could bleed enough dye to turn a favorite white blouse pink, even in a single wear. Washing new garments separately before their first use helps rinse away that excess dye before it has a chance to spread.
Manufacturing chemicals can irritate skin
Clothing production often involves chemical treatments and coatings, particularly for synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon. A Vanderbilt Health dermatology expert noted that even natural fiber garments can carry residual coatings from the manufacturing process.
For people with sensitive skin or known allergies, direct contact with these chemicals can trigger reactions ranging from mild irritation to rashes and dry, itchy patches. A single trip through the washing machine can significantly reduce that risk before the fabric ever touches your skin.
Garments pass through many hands before reaching you
Perhaps the most persuasive argument for washing new clothes has nothing to do with chemicals or dye. It comes down to the sheer number of people and places involved in getting a garment from factory to closet.
According to textile experts, clothing travels through a long and complicated supply chain. Components are often sourced from multiple locations, and the finished product passes through numerous hands along the way, each step carrying potential exposure to bacteria, fungi, dirt and even insects. A wash cycle helps remove much of that buildup before the item ever reaches your skin.
Shipping conditions can introduce mold
Most clothing sold in the United States is imported, and those garments can spend weeks or even months inside shipping containers before arriving at a store or warehouse. Experts say that extended time in transit, particularly in hot, humid conditions, can create an environment where mold has a chance to develop on fabric.
While that mold may not always be visible to the naked eye, it’s another reason a pre-wear wash is worth the extra step, especially for items that have traveled long distances internationally.
Try on culture leaves more behind than you’d think
The least appetizing reason of all may also be the most convincing. Before a new item ends up in your shopping bag, there’s a decent chance someone else tried it on first, whether in a fitting room or simply by handling it on the rack.
Dermatology experts point out that shoppers have no way of knowing what was on a previous person’s skin, nose or mouth when they tried on a garment. Research examining bacteria and viruses on tried on clothing has found fecal bacteria and nasal viruses present with some regularity. Even less pleasant, lice, scabies and bed bugs are capable of surviving on fabric for several days.
The bottom line
While the odds of getting seriously ill from new clothing remain low, the combination of loose dye, manufacturing chemicals, supply chain exposure and prior wear adds up to a compelling case. Tossing new purchases into the washing machine before their first wear, especially items worn close to the skin, is a small habit that experts say is well worth adopting.
