To wash all new clothes?

[Lis1992]

So many divided opinions on this! So it’s all in the title- AIBU to wash all new clothes? For adults, not babies! I have a pile of new holiday clothes and plan on washing all before packing case. Was talking to someone who said no way- total waste of time; she just chucks them in!

I nearly started the same thread yday when I threw a dress straight on post-purchase, pre-wash even though I know it’s a bit minging to do so. Pleasantly surprised that the vote is as sympathetic as it is - and did at least wash the new grollies I bought 😅

Have no time to waste washing new clothes, did so for DC when they were newborn but that's about it. I did do their laundry separately with non bio too.
I've never caught anything from wearing new clothes or had a noticeable skin reaction.

I actually like the stiff feeling of new sheets, not that I experience it very often. Haven't bought new bedding in ages as trying to be more about quality that lasts.

Never wash new clothes first. Love the smell and the feel of them 🤷‍♀️🤣

Yes always

Wondering if I’ve lost my sense of smell because I can’t believe the sheer amount of people saying new clothes stink!? Literally never ever noticed any kind of smell and as such have never washed new clothes.

I always think I should but I never do

I always wash them because you never know how many people have tried them on before you.

Living in a hot country, trying stuffbon in the summer, sweaty people - it's no bother for me to put my new stuff through the wash first.

Always wash new clothes. It's just hygienic. End of.

Just wondering for those who do this - now, I understand if something smells - either chemically or unpleasant. But if it doesn't, exactly what are you worried about? I have never ever in my life heard of anything catching any kind of ailment or disease from a new unwashed garment!

To me it is the equivalent of people squatting over toilets (though probably slightly better as you're not impacting anyone else with the circumstances of your actions).

What about things you can't wash, like outdoor coats or shoes?

Exactly! Few things come out quite as nicely shaped or bright white or whatever. I will take my chances with whatever horrific thing people are imagining that I have literally never heard of happening in real life.

What do you do if they are dry clean only?

Always wash clothes before wearing. I don't really buy much DC only clothing but I do have the "home dry clean" stuff and would use that if I did buy something DC only. I don't wash coats though, so I guess I have my limits.

I always wash new clothes. Didn't used to, but have been doing so the past 10 or so years. They use so many chemicals now, but also I saw some horror story about eggs/bugs in clothes. Ew

Different methods of production. Clothes and bedding used to be made in the U.K.; now they’re most often made overseas in industrial conditions and shipped across the globe in container ships for journeys which can take months. So now fabrics are usually sprayed with pesticides and chemicals to prevent mould and insect /rodent damage in shipping and storage.

I didn’t wash stuff before wearing years ago. After doing a bit of research into the global textile industry I definitely do now!

I would be less bothered about coats or shoes. I’m mainly worried about carcinogenic pesticide / fungicide residues right next to my skin! Of course we encounter plenty of carcinogenics in small amounts all over the place every day - but I’d just as rather not add to the overall load if I can avoid it.

I suspect the home dry clean stuff would be worse than nothing at all.

I have extremely allergenic skin. If I don’t wash new clothing I can have serious allergic reactions. I don’t think people realize what can be in new clothes. They need to be washed well to remove the manufacturing chemicals and transportation pesticides.

This actually makes sense to me! Food for thought. Thanks :)

Yes, i always wash new clothes. Who knows who tried them before, they were on the floor, touched by so many people. I wash everything I buy, bed sheets, towels,clothes, not to mention underwear.

I’ve never done this…as soon as I wash anything it never looks as good as when it is brand new so I don’t want to waste that one off opportunity!

Never have, never will. Wasteful precious behaviour.

if the clothes look and smell clean, what’s the big deal. Never had an issue from new clothes in my 50 plus years. Absolutely not worth it.

People are bonkers here.

I nearly started the same thread yday when I threw a dress straight on post-purchase, pre-wash even though I know it’s a bit minging to do so.’

Living life on the edge..

What kind of sanitised weird world are we living now in the west. It’s depressing.

I find cheap clothes (like Primark) have a real chemical smell so I wash them. Clothes from places like M and S don't smell to me so I don't bother.

I do. Dh and dd have eczema and the chemicals of new unwashed clothes does havoc with their skin. It just doesn't seem healthy to wear unwashed new clothes if those chemicals get absorbed by your skin somehow, eczema or not.