Clothing companies getting worse and worse with sending clothes covered in horrible smells

[allergyupset]

Is it just me becoming more and more sensitive, or are clothing companies getting worse and worse for sending clothes covered in who knows what sort of unpleasant chemicals? Some are worse than others, but I bought some leggings and the smell was shocking. I actually had to have a shower after trying them on, and even now I think I'm getting thrush. I will have to wash them a few times before I can even wear them properly, but why has this become more and more necessary? I realise most clothes smell a bit of "new stuff", but this one was off the scale. I don't have a garden so I can't just air them outside, and I can't just buy clothes in shops as I mainly need specialist sizing that's online only. I understand the need to make sure the clothes are clean before sending them out, but the situation has got beyond a joke.

I think sometimes they use pesticides on them the smell is so bad. A friend worked for a national chain, unpacking some boxes was awful she said

Here's the answer yuk

"It may take several washings to remove". But it really shouldn't have to be this way. It's terrible to be covering our clothes in what are basically poisons, and they must be very strong ones if they take several washes to remove. It's making people ill. Why is it even legal?

I'm torn between hanging the leggings of my window and then doing several washes, or sending them back and telling them why. I know a lot of companies do it to a certain extent, but this one is on another level. My DH was taken aback by the smell too, so I know I'm not overreacting.

It's horrible and it's causing heath problems. I'd be amazed if more people haven't become ill after wearing some of these clothes.

Is this bothering anyone else?

I always wash new clothes before I wear them as my Gran used to work in a clothing factory and told us about the chemical sprays used before packing.

I would imagine things smell worse at the moment due to the issues with shipping and storing products. Things are being stuck in port for longer in less than ideal circs and that probably means the smells ate becoming more entrenched.

One wash should cover it though. Anything which still smelt awful after that would be send back for a refund.

It’s to do with dyes and finishing processes.

Unfortunately to make fabric useable or aesthetically appealing lots of finishing processes are used.

The smell on the leggings would either be dye or the chemicals in elastene. Or if they were made from polyester that could also add to them. Plus if they were made in a factory where lots of dyeing takes place it can transfer the smell.

Cheaper clothes tend to smell the most.

I wonder if they're spraying returns with something to kill off covid germs

Virus

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow But my point is that the problem has been getting worse and worse over the years. It has never been this bad before. Why is it getting so much worse? I know all new clothes smell a bit, but why has the situation become so extreme?

Because people want cheap clothes. Better companies have more washing or airing processes because people are paying more.

I’ve never had stuff that smells from Cos, but have had stuff that smells from Hush. But Hush is crap quality, even though pricey.

But the likes of Primark, DP, PLT, etc, it will all smell. Same with Boohoo or Missguided.

It’s all about cost

I have to say I don't agree as I've had the same problem with Seasalt and they're high quality. And the smell with Asos dissipates quickly in my experience.

Pop them in your freezer for a few hours, that should do the trick.

Some plastic packaging makes the fabric contents smell of cigarette smoke but if you air it the smell goes away.

Yes, Seasalt thing is from the prints? Or dyes? The all over prints could well smell due to concentration of pigment.

BUT it’s still about cost. Some firms take more care about finishing things. This affects the cost.

Sorry but it's just so bad for everyone's health! How can this be legal? It's making me feel ill every time I open a parcel of clothing.

Where can I buy some clothes that are safe to wear and aren't covered in these chemicals?

I find this especially with dark coloured clothing - a pair of M&S black jeans were particularly bad. I couldn’t store them with other clothes as the smell transferred. I left them pegged on the line for a whole month and that helped - but didn’t remove the smell entirely.