Should You Really Wash New Clothes First? Experts Reveal the Correct Move

• Specialists concur: it's essential to launder new garments prior to use.
• When your fresh garments arrive, they have likely passed through multiple settings teeming with unidentified grime, fungi, and microbes.
• To maintain your garments' like-new appearance for an extended period, follow these easy care instructions.

Once you've purchased a shirt or dress that you've just grown fond of, it's quite typical to desire wearing it immediately. You could find yourself wanting to put it on as soon as possible. like That fresh-out-of-the-package scent. Nevertheless, there’s always the lingering thought of how many people might have handled the garment before you ultimately picked it from the rack.

The query at hand is whether one should launder new garments prior to wearing them. To get insights into this matter, we consulted with two specialists regarding the appropriateness of immediately donning fresh attire versus taking a more cautious approach.

Meet the Experts

• Robin Murphy The person who established the home cleaning service Maid Brigade is its founder.
• Wendy Saladyga is an authority on stains and holds the position of senior manager at Henkel.

Do You Need to Clean New Garments Before UsingThem?

Although it might be simple and tempting to immediately wear your new garments, professionals concur that it's ideal to launder them first.

Most individuals face very low risks overall, but concerns over shrinkage, discoloration, and changes in fabric texture also come into play," explains Robin Murphy, who founded the cleaning company Maid Brigade. "However, once you consider how many hands these garments may have encountered, the chemical treatments applied for wrinkle resistance, and potentially harmful bacteria present due to improper storage or fitting room use, it becomes more difficult not to worry.

This tips the balance towards rinsing out your garments quickly Before wearing them—at least for items that make direct contact with your skin, according to Murphy.

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Why It’s Important to Pre-Wash Your New Clothing Items Before Use

Although new garments might appear pristine, they often harbor an unexpected quantity of grime and residues.

Initially, fabrics are frequently processed with dyes, formaldehyde-containing treatments, and various chemicals to maintain their appearance on retail racks," says Murphy. "Such substances might lead to skin irritations, allergies, or simply that peculiar scent of new garments.

Additionally, clothing items pass through many hands both before and after reaching the stores.

Wendy Saladyga, a stain specialist and senior manager at Henkel, explains, "Regardless of whether the clothes were bought in-store or online, it's likely that someone else may have tried them on."

Manufacturing personnel, distribution team members, and retail staffers likewise interact with garments as part of their job responsibilities.

Murphy warns, "[New clothes] might collect bacteria, mold, or even an occasional louse or bed bug—though rare, these occurrences do take place."

Furthermore, garments kept in storage or transport containers might soak up dust and scents, resulting in a “manufacturing facility odor,” notes Murphy.

Suggestions for Maintaining Clothes' Like-New Appearance Post-Washing

To maintain the freshness of your new garments after washing, consider adhering to these guidelines:

• Wash colors and textures that are similar together: In addition to organizing by color, categorizing based on weight and texture proves beneficial. As Murphy explains, “[This approach] helps avoid issues such as pilling, lint transfer, snags, and excessive drying.” He further notes that heavier materials like denim and bath towels might be overly abrasive for more delicate items such as T-shirts.
• Don’t Overload the Washer: Overloading your washing machine causes increased friction among garments, which can result in colors fading, fabric deterioration, or items not being thoroughly cleansed.
• Store Clothing Properly: "Misfolded knitwear such as sweaters and cardigans can stretch out, so folding them helps preserve their form,” explains Murphy. “On the other hand, structured garments including blazers, coats, dress shirts, and frocks should be kept on hangers to retain their structure.” He also advises against using wire hangers because they may deform the shoulders of these more rigid clothing items with prolonged use.
• Wash Clothes Inside Out: Inverting garments, particularly those featuring hues and designs, shields them from fading and minimizes friction with other textiles.
• Use a Gentle Detergent: Since harsh detergents Murphy advises choosing a gentle detergent when cleaning fabric that may deteriorate over time. For dealing with spots, she recommends using either a stain remover or a natural alternative such as baking soda or vinegar, instead of laundering the whole piece of clothing.
• Turn Down the Heat and Take Out Soon: Speaking of gentle treatment, the gentle cycle on your dryer is also key to keep your clothes looking new. "High heat can shrink, weaken, and fade fabrics," Murphy explains. "Use a low-heat setting and remove clothes while they’re still slightly damp to prevent over-drying and reduce wrinkles."
• Read the Care Label: Are you still confused? The care labels on your garments typically provide all the necessary information about how to wash, dry, and iron them. Adhering to these guidelines ensures they remain in excellent condition since various types of clothing require distinct treatment methods.

Read the initial article on The Spruce