To worry about not washing new clothes before wearing them?

[strawberryjeans]

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? 😅

It is a fact that fabrics are sprayed with chemicals to discourage pests and help keep them free of creases when being stored and transported. It is also a fact that warehouses full of stored items attract rats, and that packaging is not always 100% sealed and watertight.

Do what you like - nobody cares, but don't accuse others of making up 'paranoid' information or being childish because they make different choices to you.

Ya think? 😂

You clearly didn’t read the post from the person who knew someone who didn’t wash their new underwear before wearing them, and got run over by a bus the next day. Go back and read that post, if you don’t believe me.

Me neither.

I think some people have rather vivid imaginations tbh. Either that or they don't have a lick of common sense.

Same never heard of until I came here same as sitting on a bed in day clothes.
Fucking ridiculous.

60 degree wash with a healthy slug of dettol for all new clothes for me.

I didn’t know washing clothes before wearing was even a thing, until I saw it here!

It’s not just here but I think it’s one of those things that you don’t really know about unless you d had a problem. If you google, you’ll see lots of dermatologists recommending washing before wearing. I never thought about it until my child had a reaction. When I googled it, there was a lot of information and when my child had to see a dermatologist due to it, they advised washing clothes before use.

If people don’t want to wash clothes before wearing once they know that some people do and why, that is their choice. It’s strange that some people seem to think they’re so superior and care free for not doing it.

Wash them, don’t wash them, it shouldn’t really matter to other people. Some people have reacted to new clothing, some people are concerned about chemicals etc. No need for judgement on either ‘side’.

I always wash new bedding before I use it but I'd never bother washing new clothes. Clothes tend to look more worn once you start washing them, depending on the garment, I try to wash them as infrequently as possible to keep them looking new.

Never wash new clothes or bedding. So far, I haven't succumbed to impetigo/eczema/skin cancer.

Those of you panicking about "chemicals" are going to lose your minds when you hear about dihydrogen oxide - it's used all the time in clothing manufacture... 😱

Im with you and always wash new things before wearing! I watched a hospital drama once where someone was really unwell after jeans they wore were stored with dangerous chemicals and I’ve been paranoid ever since 😂

but also in general people are just a bit gross and I don’t know how many people have touched that dress in the shop after scratching their butt

It’s really not necessary to wash new clothes before you wear them.

I have never done that, for either me or my kids (and I had a prem NICU baby).

Germs are good for the immune system. It is not healthy to be too “clean”.

I usually wash clothes first - I think it’s supposed to be better with the dyes and my mum always said it helped if you split something and had a stain to get out.

But it’s not going to cause you a problem. Even done it at least once when my kids were babies and had more accidents than I had spare clothes for. He was fine even with delicate baby skin.

I'd be very surprised if anybody here doesn't know what dihydrogen oxide refers to, @sweetnessandlighter . But you go ahead and feel like a big clever sausage .

I am the world's worst ironer so some things I buy are never quite the same again once they've been washed. I recall a lovely, quite spendy dress I bought for a wedding (raspberry red so safe in terms of being mistaken for the bride 😉) which had some complicated pleats at the front like origami. Looked like a bag o'shite after my ministrations with the iron. Better to enjoy these things while you can and risk the deadly chemicals/germs.

I wash sheets, towels, knickers and pyjamas before wearing, nothing else.

Same!

If something arrived 'reeking of chemicals' I'd be sending it straight back anyway. Recently returned something that had clearly been worn and washed becuase it stank of fabric conditioner 🤢

I never ever wash new clothes. I ADORE the scent (and the new linen feel before it's washed) of brand new store bought clothes, and enjoy wearing them that first time. It's part of the 'experience' of getting new clothes, to me. Nothing like the feel of and smell of brand new clothes. It's a pity it only lasts for one day.

I really like the smell of new clothes 😂

Same - unless it's smelly!

I think I must live on another planet. I have never encountered new clothes smelling of chemicals. Or the risk of rat piss on clothes?? The whole point of new clothes is that they are new! It’s nice putting on new knickers or a new sweater. Clothes lose their appeal to me after they have been washed and come out of the machine in a damp heap. Then they are dry and creased, then you have to iron it. They never look as good. I’ve got summer dresses that I’ve had years, I try and wash them as little as possible. Maybe once or twice in the last 4 years. Just airing them is fine providing they’re not stained or smelly. Clothes that are washed a lot (like the children’s uniforms) go bobbly quickly. Ironing also takes it’s toll on a lot of fabrics.

I’ve got summer dresses that I’ve had years, I try and wash them as little as possible. Maybe once or twice in the last 4 years. Just airing them is fine providing they’re not stained or smelly. Clothes that are washed a lot (like the children’s uniforms) go bobbly quickly. Ironing also takes its toll on a lot of fabrics.

That's not the same thing though, not washing clothes all of the time is different from washing or not washing new clothes.

I think I must live on another planet. I have never encountered new clothes smelling of chemicals. Or the risk of rat piss on clothes??

Yes, reading this thread I was like, rat piss? Rat shit? Fuck me dead, where do you people live? Do they hand-make the clothes in the gutter where some of you getting them from? I'm just waiting for some hysteric to add in dog shit too. Maybe the factory's cat pisses on them regularly. Don't stop there, what about bat shit/piss? Lizzard droppings? Maybe the clothes are rolled in asbestos, or have had bees or birds shit on them. Chris all fucking mighty people on this thread are batshit crazy! And please no mention of bat piss or shit.

Formaldehyde is in many things, including shampoo and hand sanitisers (of which we all used at lot of at the height of Covid). A google search shows most people have had some exposure to formaldehyde. It's just all frothy panic.