You’ve just bought a brand-new outfit and can’t wait to wear it. But before you tear off the tags, a common question comes up: Do you need to wash new clothes before putting them on?
While it’s tempting to wear them straight out of the store, washing your new clothes first can be a smart move—for both your health and the longevity of your wardrobe. Here’s why.
1. Hidden Chemicals in New Clothes
During manufacturing, fabrics are often treated with chemicals like formaldehyde to prevent mildew, wrinkles, or shrinkage. These substances can sometimes linger on the fabric and may irritate your skin. A quick wash can help reduce this chemical residue.
2. Protecting Sensitive Skin
New clothes may also contain excess dye that hasn’t fully set, which can rub off on your skin. For people with sensitive skin or allergies, this can lead to irritation, itching, or rashes. Washing before wearing helps lower this risk.
3. Dirt and Dust from Production and Shipping
Even though your clothes look spotless, they’ve likely passed through factories, warehouses, and delivery trucks before reaching the store. Along the way, they can pick up dust, dirt, and particles you wouldn’t want against your skin. A wash ensures they’re truly clean.
4. Germs from Handling and Fitting Rooms
Clothing on store racks is often touched by staff and customers, and many items are tried on multiple times before being purchased. This means your new outfit could be carrying bacteria or germs from countless hands. Washing helps give you a fresh start.
5. Better Comfort and Fit
Some fabrics feel stiff or rough when brand new. Washing softens the material, making it more comfortable to wear. It also allows any initial shrinkage to happen before you put the garment on, so you’ll know how it really fits.
6. Building Good Clothing Care Habits
Washing your clothes according to the care instructions right from the start helps extend their life. You’ll get used to the best practices for maintaining each fabric, protecting your investment over time.
The Bottom Line
Taking the time to wash new clothes before wearing them is a simple step that can pay off in comfort, cleanliness, and skin protection. If you’re prone to allergies or irritation, it’s especially important. Follow care labels, and consider gentle or hypoallergenic detergents if you have sensitive skin.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice—but with so many benefits, washing before wearing is often worth the effort.
