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AIBU?

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Original poster

To worry about not washing new clothes before wearing them?

257 replies

strawberryjeans · 30/05/2024 23:01

I usually wash everything that we buy new. I haven’t washed the dress I’m wearing today, got it from Sainsbury’s a few months ago.

Is it that bad? 😅

OP posts:
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BashfulClam · 12/09/2024 20:25

Hellodarknessmyfriend · 31/05/2024 00:00

Always wash bedlinen before first use. Doesn't everybody?

No!

Imisssleep2 · 05/06/2024 21:25

I never wash my own or my husband's new clothes, only the kids ones.

PomegranateRose · 05/06/2024 20:52

I never used to wash anything new except underwear. Then once I ordered a scarf online, wore it soon after, and got a hell of a rash on my neck, never having reacted skin-wise to literally anything before. Doctor eventually concluded the most likely culprit was the scarf having been sprayed with something in the factory that, while technically safe, I was sensitive to.

I wash it all now. Like others have said, even aside from my one highly specific and unlikely experience, you have no idea who has tried on/touched things, or what their personal hygiene is like. I work in healthcare and have seen far too much to shock along those lines to be comfortable relying on that, to be honest 😖

Bibby98 · 04/06/2024 20:02

Exquisitebluebutterfly · 03/06/2024 07:03

I have worked in a jeans factory. The 3rd floor where the big pieces of fabric were stored and cut by strong men and their big cutting machines were ridden with rats and smelled absolutely awful!!! We girls never went up there, so afraid of the rats. At the end of the day, our hands were blue from handling the jeans pieces. Most of these clothes are produced in third world countries, in sweaty factories, with poor higyene e work conditions. Apart from chemicals, rats shit, rats piss, there are also many diseases that could be transported with the clothes. It is your choice if you washed them before use. But I, from my experience, do wash everything before use and have advised many to do so.

Washing new jeans would be an absolute sin 🙏🏼

Bibby98 · 04/06/2024 19:57

Do all the people that wash them first not try anything on? What about the germs and chemicals then? Also I take it those of you worrying about chemicals, do you eat a purely organic chemical free diet? And non of you use washing powders/liquids, softeners, air fresheners, cleaning products, toothpaste and so on and on…. I do wash new sheets and towels mind.

AnnieSnap · 04/06/2024 19:03

MrsB74 · 04/06/2024 15:37

Nope, fairly normal in my experience and it’s never caused me (or anyone I know any harm). Cleanliness/avoiding germs has become an obsession for some.

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It’s not always about avoiding germs. I agree that Western societies are often OTT about them, reinforced by pharma companies creating false needs for antibac everything! The concern for me regarding clothes and fabric (for sewing) is chemicals and allergens. Interestingly, there appears to be a correlation between increased use of chemicals and the increase in allergies, both in humans and in animals. @TaraCarter ’s experience of having to wear PPE to protect against chemicals when unpacking clothes in a Wearhouse speaks volumes.

tuvamoodyson · 04/06/2024 17:57

Spidey66 · 03/06/2024 14:50

No. Never have.

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I always wash new bedlinen…it’s too ‘stiff’ otherwise.

tuvamoodyson · 04/06/2024 17:52

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 30/05/2024 23:32

I would never do this, even with second hand things unless they smell funny. Towels are the only thing I would wash before using.

I wouldn’t dream of not washing second clothes before wearing them, funny smell or not.

thecatsthecats · 04/06/2024 17:48

MrsB74 · 04/06/2024 15:38

Or they are over sensitive because they obsess over cleanliness? Just a thought.

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To be fair, nobody would dream of accusing my husband and I often excessive cleanliness, and our son flares up with every last thing.

MrsB74 · 04/06/2024 15:38

AnnieSnap · 03/06/2024 22:38

It’s quite telling that posters who have children with sensitive skin, or Eczema are reporting that they have ‘flare ups’ if they put new clothes on them that haven’t been washed. There is clearly something in/on the fabric that can irritate skin. That suggests to me that (note to self) it’s a good idea to wash new clothes.

Or they are over sensitive because they obsess over cleanliness? Just a thought.

MrsB74 · 04/06/2024 15:37

QueenBitch666 · 31/05/2024 01:20

That's grim 🤢

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Nope, fairly normal in my experience and it’s never caused me (or anyone I know any harm). Cleanliness/avoiding germs has become an obsession for some.

GalileoHumpkins · 04/06/2024 10:05

Are you still alive @strawberryjeans ?

PassingStranger · 04/06/2024 10:02

I always do, they have a certain smell about them when they are new.
I like the freshly washed smell, and also you don't know whose handled them etc.

jellajello · 04/06/2024 09:54

And...? What sort of dirt are you escaping from? Do you sit on a train seat? You touch money? How do you open doors? How do you pick which box of teabags to pick up in Tesco? And how is your kissable loved one's dirt different from anyone else's?

TaraCarter · 04/06/2024 06:59

AnnieSnap · 03/06/2024 22:38

It’s quite telling that posters who have children with sensitive skin, or Eczema are reporting that they have ‘flare ups’ if they put new clothes on them that haven’t been washed. There is clearly something in/on the fabric that can irritate skin. That suggests to me that (note to self) it’s a good idea to wash new clothes.

I work in a warehouse unpacking the boxes of clothes that arrive from overseas factories. I was expressly instructed to wear PPE, i.e. gloves to do so, because the cardboard boxes are impregnated with chemicals that may irritate skin, like anti-mould agents.

The clothes absolutely stink when you first open the boxes, by the way.

Tintackedsea · 03/06/2024 22:49

The only brand new thing I have ever washed was a dressing gown from M and S. it was knock you out stinky with chemical stench. Stank out the room.

AnnieSnap · 03/06/2024 22:38

It’s quite telling that posters who have children with sensitive skin, or Eczema are reporting that they have ‘flare ups’ if they put new clothes on them that haven’t been washed. There is clearly something in/on the fabric that can irritate skin. That suggests to me that (note to self) it’s a good idea to wash new clothes.

Bluebellsparklypant · 03/06/2024 22:30

I always wash new clothes, as they can have a smell about them and to freshen them up after being on the rails but sure it will be fine OP

stichguru · 03/06/2024 21:01

My line - underwear? No - don't wash! Yes - Was it in a sealed packet? Yes - don't wash! No- Wash! Not saying this is the best way, the right way, or the only way, but it's my way!

MrsB74 · 03/06/2024 18:55

strawberryjeans · 30/05/2024 23:06

The dyes used on the clothes. Maybe I’m talking myself into worrying about a non issue though

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You absolutely are - I very rarely wash new clothes; only if they smell funny! I didn’t even know it was a thing.

Mimimimi1234 · 03/06/2024 17:00

Have never washed anything new, for anyone in my house. We are all fine with no diseases or skin issue. I didnt even know this was a thing to do.

DrStrangesSmarterSister · 03/06/2024 16:54

I think I quoted the wrong person, sorry 😄.

DrStrangesSmarterSister · 03/06/2024 16:53

sunglassesonthetable · 03/06/2024 14:45

So a quick Google, and you find that urea-formaldehyde is used as an anti-mildew agent during shipping, and can exceed safe levels. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer. So anything in direct touch with the skin I would wash and wouldn't take the risk. Usually clothes feel better for a wash anyway. (I see this was mentioned on page 2. Wish Mumsnet would cut dupes and reduce comment threads to about 2 pages!)

So still a risk assessment about things that might have possibly happened.

The risk averse are probably washing more anyway.

This is why I prefer to wash new clothes and bedding before use - I'm a scientist, and the thought of all of the chemicals that companies will use for different reasons definitely makes a wash worthwhile for me.

Spidey66 · 03/06/2024 14:50

Hellodarknessmyfriend · 31/05/2024 00:00

Always wash bedlinen before first use. Doesn't everybody?

No. Never have.

sunglassesonthetable · 03/06/2024 14:45

So a quick Google, and you find that urea-formaldehyde is used as an anti-mildew agent during shipping, and can exceed safe levels. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer. So anything in direct touch with the skin I would wash and wouldn't take the risk. Usually clothes feel better for a wash anyway. (I see this was mentioned on page 2. Wish Mumsnet would cut dupes and reduce comment threads to about 2 pages!)

So still a risk assessment about things that might have possibly happened.

The risk averse are probably washing more anyway.