to almost always wash items straight from the shop?

[LDNmummy]

I do not wear items or use items such as bed sheets and throws for instance, straight after buying them. I always put them in a wash first (unless I am super eager to wear something or need the item straight away).

I worked in retail for years, and not only do you not know the condition the items were made in, but they are hardly ever handled well before being displayed on the shop floor.

I remember working for one high street store in particular (a certain lingerie store with a naughty back area and pink shop front, famous for an electrical item named after a carrot munching furry animal), that handled intimate items in rat infested stock rooms (that occasionally flooded through from the roof in my branch) in open cardboard boxes with items spilling out all over the stock room floor. Stock checks were also counted out over old dirty carpeted floors in damp rooms etc, this shop was the worst IME although I do wonder if Primarni could beat them.

There has only ever been one store I have worked in that did not handle merchandise at all like this but the majority do.

So after working in retail, I never wear things without washing first, surely other people must be the same, or am I just being neurotic?

[mousymouse]

I never buy things tat are dry clean only. and even if, they usually will survive a wash.
yes I wash everything.
clothes that are produced in hot climates or far away (think bangladesh/china) are treated with anti mould stuff and pesticides. they would arrive full of mould and insect holes otherwise g

[Kladdkaka]

I never dry clean stuff. Always goes in the washer. Even my wedding dress.

[sleepevader]

I normally try to. So many finishes sprayed on clothes to make them look crease free and repel dirt in manufacture.