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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not wash new clothes before I wear them?

90 replies

Happyyellowcar · 09/06/2015 18:59

DH got lots of socks for Christmas which have sat in the packet in his drawer until yesterday. Today they all appeared in the washing basket - he will not wear any items of clothing until they have been washed at home. It added to my already overloaded washing pile and it took ages to pair them afterwards. I wear new stuff without washing them first without a second thought. I dress the DC in new clothes without washing them first too (the clothes not the kids). Is this really a thing? I get irritated by it - AIBU or him?

OP posts:

A1Mum · 09/06/2015 20:20

I understand why he doesn't want to wear items of clothing before washing them. I have known of at least one person to get a severe allergic reaction to jeans when they were worn before washing. The chemicals in the manufacturing process caused this. It's not common but it happens. What I would draw the line at though is pairing up DH socks. I have never done this and never will, I have better things to do with my time. I see it as a form of brain training for him to pair his own socks if I'm kind enough to wash them for him, I also let the children pair their own socks.

ltk · 09/06/2015 20:33

I do not own any dry clean only clothes that touch my skin.

ArgyMargy · 09/06/2015 20:44

"Have you not heard of the mites n stuff that can be in material."

OMG!!! Heaven protect us from the stuff that can be in material. Like material.

Every time I read one of these threads I wonder how it is that anyone is still alive.

BethDaze · 09/06/2015 20:57

Having worked in a stockroom for a big department store, I know what goes on down there.I tend to wash things before wearing if possible, but if it came down to it I'd be fine with wearing it unwashed.

Unless it was underwear. The things I saw working in the lingerie section. Hell, the things I did working in the lingerie section.

Original poster

Happyyellowcar · 09/06/2015 21:28

Beginning to think I AM BU after reading some of these replies! Am rather baffled by some of the uncharitable "D"W's who refuse to wash or pair their husbands socks! How petty! I wasn't actually complaining about doing the washing in general but just about washing new, clean clothes..

OP posts:

Myricales · 09/06/2015 21:37

Things I've learnt about from MN:

washing meat

washing new clothes

being unable to tell overbearing relatives to fuck off

giving other people your bank card

It's a whole world out there.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 09/06/2015 21:41

I only wash new clothes as I like my washing powder smell and dislike the new smell. However I don't bother with new smells.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 09/06/2015 21:41

Smalls

wiltingfast · 09/06/2015 21:56

I don't know anyone in real life who washes new clothes, only on mn have I seen this phenomenon...

Athenaviolet · 09/06/2015 22:00

Is washing new clothes a thing?

I never even did it with baby clothes from charity shops.

Dh sounds like an entitled arse.

Original poster

Happyyellowcar · 09/06/2015 22:15

Er excuse me athena DH certainly is not!!

OP posts:

RoganJosh · 09/06/2015 22:20

I don't do it, but I wouldn't mind if DH wanted to. I wouldn't expect him to put a separate wash on for a few socks so they'd just have to go in the washing basket.
If he did a big clothes shop it might be sensible for him to put a wash on though.

Athenaviolet · 09/06/2015 22:22

I hope you get a copy of wifework for your Christmas.

Men who respect their partners don't treat them like that.

Pedestriana · 09/06/2015 22:30

Never washed anything new (or 'new' when it's come from the Charity shop). So far, no problems.

conquistador · 09/06/2015 22:50

I always wash new clothes; in fact new cushion covers, throws, anything that comes into the house.
To be fair it's a leftover "habit" from my severe anxiety years but I wouldn't be able to relax until they were clean.

Mehitabel6 · 09/06/2015 22:58

I never wash new clothes- I can't see why you would. If he wants them washed don't get involved - let him do it.

Fairenuff · 09/06/2015 23:00

Firstly, this:

if you pair them up and put them in his drawer how is he doing to know you didn't wash them..?

And secondly, this:

It added to my already overloaded washing pile and it took ages to pair them afterwards.

How many pairs did he get? Even if there were ten that's not that many to wash. And you didn't need to wash them all at once, you could have done, say, five pairs for now or got the lazy sod to wash them himself

GatoradeMeBitch · 09/06/2015 23:11

Does your DH do your washing, or is he uncharitable too?

Qwebec · 10/06/2015 03:22

I don't wash new clothes , but I think we should.
DP had a co worker miss weeks at work. She baught a new bra and wore it unwashed, there was a bug from a previous shopper in it. (can't remember the name, it goes under the skin and makes red dots appear...?) She had to desinfect her whole house to get rid of the parasite.

That people who work is stores say that they wash new clothes makes me even former in my conviction. I will clean them before from now on.

spottybottycream · 10/06/2015 05:46

Its how scabies most commonly spreads. People trying things on in changing rooms then deciding not to buy and you don't wash new clothes before wearing? Yuk!

Mehitabel6 · 10/06/2015 06:47

I am over 60 yrs, have never washed anything new and have never caught any skin condition! I am certainly not going to start washing new things now - madness. If your DH has odd hang ups about it I would leave him to deal with it and not indulge it.

Mehitabel6 · 10/06/2015 06:49

If you don't want to let him get on with it I should just pair them up, put them in the drawer and tell him they were washed. He won't know.

Hygellig · 10/06/2015 06:52

I usually wash new clothes I've bought as they sometimes smell funny new. DS wore a new T-shirt yesterday that I hadn't washed and looked like I'd actually ironed it .
I once went to put a new sheet on the bed and my mum was aghast I wasn't going to wash it first.

keeptothewhiteline · 10/06/2015 07:05

The issue is not whether new socks should be washed or not, it's your husband's expectations.
"It added to my already overloaded washing pile " is the washing pile yours alone? What domestic tasks does he see as just his?

Original poster

Happyyellowcar · 10/06/2015 07:41

Thanks for all the sensible replies on this subject- am thinking IABU after reading some of the horror stories especially about the undies! Surely packaged stuff would be cleaner than stuff off the rails though? I asked DH why he likes everything washed and he didn't even have a particular reason, just something he has always done.

OP posts:

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