- Authorities concur: it’s essential to launder new garments prior to use.
- When your fresh garments arrive, they have likely passed through various settings teeming with unidentified grime, fungi, and microbes.
- You can maintain clothing in like-new condition for an extended period with some basic care tips.
Once you've purchased a shirt or dress that you've instantly grown fond of, it's quite typical to desire wearing it immediately. You could be tempted to like That fresh-out-of-the-package scent. Nevertheless, the constant concern lingers about all the people who might have handled your garment before you ultimately picked it from the rack.
The query at hand is whether one should launder new garments prior to wearing them. To get insights into this matter, we consulted with two specialists regarding the appropriateness of donning newly purchased attire immediately or if it would be wiser to wait.
Meet the Experts
- Robin Murphy The founder of the home cleaning service Maid Brigade is he.
- Wendy Saladyga is an expert in stains and holds the position of senior manager at Henkel.
Do You Need to Clean New Garments Before UsingThem?
Although it’s simple and tempting to immediately wear your new garments, specialists concur that it's ideal to launder them first.
Robin Murphy, who founded the cleaning service Maid Brigade, explains: “For many individuals, the likelihood of encountering something serious is quite low and diminishing. However, concerns also arise regarding issues like shrinkage, color fading, or changes in fabric consistency.” She adds, “Once you consider everything these garments go through—the numerous hands they touch, the chemical treatments applied for wrinkle resistance, not to mention potential bacterial contamination from improper storage or fitting—these factors become more difficult to overlook.”
This tilts the balance towards Giving your garments a brief rinse Before wearing them—at least for items that make direct contact with your skin, according to Murphy.
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Why It’s Important to Pre-Wash Your New Clothing Before Use
Although new garments might appear pristine, they often harbor an unexpected quantity of grime and residues.
Murphy points out that fabrics commonly undergo treatment with dyes, formaldehyde-based finishes, and various chemicals to maintain their appearance on retail displays. These substances might lead to skin irritations, allergies, or simply contribute to that distinctive ‘new clothing’ odor.
Additionally, clothing items pass through many hands both before and after arriving at the stores.
Wendy Saladyga, a stain specialist and senior manager at Henkel, explains, "Regardless of whether the clothes were bought in-store or online, it’s likely that someone else may have tried them on."
Manufacturing personnel, distribution team members, and retail staffers likewise interact with garments as a key aspect of their jobs.
Murphy warns, "[New clothes] might collect bacteria, mold, or even an occasional louse or bed bug—though rare, this does occur."
Furthermore, garments kept in storage or shipping containers may soak up dust and scents, resulting in a “manufacturing facility odor,” notes Murphy.
Advice for Maintaining Clothing's Like-New Appearance Post-Washing
To keep your new clothes feeling fresh through washes, here are some protocols to follow:
- Wash colors and textures that are similar together: In addition to categorizing by color, organizing by weight and texture is beneficial. As Murphy points out, “[This approach] helps avoid issues such as pilling, lint transfer, snags, and excessive drying.” She also notes that heavier materials like denim and bath towels might be too abrasive for more delicate items such as T-shirts.
- Don’t Overload the Washer: Overloading your washing machine causes friction among garments, which can result in colors fading, increased wear, or incomplete cleaning of your clothing.
- Store Clothing Properly: Folded knits such as sweaters and cardigans help prevent stretching, whereas structured garments including blazers, coats, button-down shirts, and dresses should be hung to keep their form," Murphy explains. "Steer clear of wire hangers since they may cause shoulder deformation in structured items over time.
- Wash Clothes Inside Out: Inverting garments, particularly those featuring hues and designs, helps prevent color fade and reduces friction against other textiles.
- Use a Gentle Detergent: Since harsh detergents Murphy advises choosing a gentle detergent when cleaning fabric that may deteriorate over time. For stains, she recommends applying either a commercial stain remover or a natural alternative such as baking soda or vinegar, instead of laundering the whole piece of clothing.
- Let It Air Dry Gently and Take Off Promptly: Speaking of gentle treatment, the gentle cycle On your dryer, maintaining settings is crucial for keeping your garments like new. As Murphy points out, "Exposure to high heat can cause shrinking, weakening, and fading of materials." She recommends using a lower heat setting and taking clothes out when they're still somewhat moist to avoid excessive drying and minimize creases.
- Read the Care Label: Stuck with doubts? The labels on your garments generally provide detailed guidance on how to wash, dry, and iron them properly. Adhering to these directions ensures they remain in excellent condition since various types of clothing require specific care.
Read the initial article on The Spruce
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