Do you wash new clothes before you wear them?

[TheMidnightLibrary]

I’ve just bought a lovely green jumper from TK Max. My friend asked what I was wearing this evening and I replied “my new jumper”. Her question was would it be washed in time? I must confess it hadn’t crossed my mind to wash it!

No - unless it's second hand/smells strongly of fabric conditioner or protector.

Sometimes, it depends what it is. Underwear yes, jumpers no. If the clothes have an odd smell then yes. I mainly wash them because I add a lot of scented products to my laundry and hate when clothes don't smell like me!

I never used to but having seen small snotty children weave in and out of rails of clothes, people eating pastries and wiping hands in garments and how often the clothes are picked up from the floor I do now.

Nope. Nor bedding. I had no idea till a few years ago on here that it was a thing. I have previously deliberately saved brand new bedding straight from the packet for guests as I consider it a nice extra touch. Apparently this would offend many people with the terrible chemicals and smell. I still think it's nice. Sheets are never so crisp and nice as when they are brand new.

Always.

I have no idea how many times it’s been tried on before I bought it, I strongly suspect that not everyone trying an item on is shower fresh, and I have no idea what processing chemicals (or pesticides) are used in the final transportation/packing process. And I remember having to wipe down a top hanging up in a shop because one of my DC wiped his grubby hands on it as we walked past…

Always, but I'm one of those people who has an actual allergy to the fabric treatments used. An hour in a brand new unwashed t-shirt will leave me with a blistered red rash wherever it touched the skin. Biological laundry detergent does the same, as do most fabric conditioners and the tumble dryer sheets you used to be able to get (may still, I don't know). Even scented non-bio detergents make me itch.

Yes, I like to wash most things before I wear them, but if not convenient I give them a steam instead just to freshen them up.

That’s goes for online purchases as well. I’ve received clothing that was smeared in perfume, oil (probably body moisturiser but who knows) and /or deodorant marks. If it has deodorant marks on it then that’s some else’s armpit in direct contact with that item 🤢

Yes, always. I have chronic migraine so everything has a smell to me. I put things through a 20 minute quick wash with Ecover Zero liquid.

No not unless there second hand and need it badly.

I always do if I buy something Preloved off eBay/ Vinted which is very rare for me.
I react to Fabreze & items need to be washed 2-3 times if heavily sprayed, otherwise I develop a itchy rash.

No. One of the joys of new clothes is the “new clothes” look and feel. Not the same after a wash.

What do people do with dry clean only clothes, I wonder.

Yes I do and for the same reason

Always. People try stuff on in shops. They’re handled by lots of people. Plus I hate the smell of new clothes. I do think I’m odd as the majority of my friends don’t wash new clothes

Yes, always. I like clothes to be fresh and clean. Plus I've seen dogs in John Lewis sniffing everything.
I was just looking at the thread about people returning clothes for a refund, so on the off chance someone borrowed an outfit for an interview, then returned it, 🤢 I think I'd prefer it washed!

I never buy them, because you can't wash them!

No life’s too short

No

I didn't used to. Not too concerned about any manufacturing chemicals because I'm not wearing new clothes everyday. But since kids, for whom I absolutely wash before wearing, I am more careful to wash for myself too.

Most of my dry clean only clothes I actually hand wash and iron or steam. I will dry clean jackets, blazers etc. but I used to hand wash my kids school blazers and I can fit any duvet up to a queen size in my washing machine.

No. Unless I was buying from Shein or similar (which I never would).

Usually not, but DS buys tshirts and hoodies from a website where the clothes always arrive smelling of vinegar. They are always laundered prior to wearing.

No, it wouldn't occur to me to do this.

Yes, apart from jackets and coats.
Bedding too.

No, never. I love the feel of new clothes.