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Most of us have the habit of washing clothes when newly purchased and before wearing them. To gain a more objective perspective, let's hear from experts on whether we should wash new clothes before wearing them or not.
1. Should you wash new clothes before wearing them?
Most of us have the habit of using a washing machine to wash new clothes when purchased and before wearing them. Some people adamantly say 'no' to this, partly out of laziness, partly because they feel it's not really necessary. For them, 'new' means 'clean'. To gain a more objective perspective, let's hear from experts on whether we should wash new clothes before wearing them or not.
Washing new clothes before wearing them is a common practice for many.
Lindsey Bordone, a certified dermatologist at Columbia University Medical Center, shares that she always washes all newly purchased clothes, even if bought online. Her rationale for this habit is to remove bacteria from those who tried on the clothes before her and to eliminate chemicals from the fabric. Dyes and chemicals used on many clothes can cause skin irritation, especially for sensitive skin.
During transportation, clothes are often preserved with certain substances to prevent mold growth when humidity changes. One of these substances is formaldehyde, used to inhibit mold and reduce wrinkles. This chemical is commonly found in forest fire smoke, vehicle emissions, and cigarette smoke, and has been proven to cause rashes.
Some chemicals on clothes can cause skin irritation.
Most countries regulate the amount of formaldehyde permitted in clothes. However, a 2010 study by a US government organization found that many clothes sold in the US exceeded the regulated chemical levels. Exposure to these chemicals, particularly formaldehyde, can cause allergies and skin inflammation if clothes are not washed before wearing.
Washing newly purchased clothes before wearing them can also help you avoid allergies caused by contact with certain dyes. According to Dr. Lindsey Bordone, some chemicals, such as blue dyes, can irritate the skin for many people, and you should wash clothes several times to remove these dye residues.
Regarding the transmission of viruses, bacteria, or infections through clothes, dermatologist Dr. Will Kirby says it's not impossible, but the risk is extremely low. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi do not typically spread through clothing. The risk of transmission is much higher when touching door handles at stores, as clothes lightly touching someone's skin rarely transfer pathogens to others.
The risk of spreading pathogens, viruses, or mold through clothes is virtually non-existent.
However, Dr. Kirby also warns that if you wear clothing that comes into contact with sensitive areas such as swimsuits or underwear, it's different. The risk is slightly higher in these cases because the skin in sensitive areas is more prone to transmitting infections.
And after hearing from two dermatology experts, we can conclude that washing clothes when purchased will help us avoid the risk of skin inflammation, allergies, especially for those with sensitive skin. However, the spread of viruses, bacteria, or any disease simply by wearing new clothes without washing them is almost non-existent. And now, have you relieved your concerns?
