Is It Risky to Wear Them as Is? Convincing Reasons Why New Clothes Should Be Washed Once

The feeling of wanting to cut the tags off and immediately wear new clothes is understandable, especially if it's an outfit bought at the change of seasons or before an important event. New clothes, neatly folded and arranged in the store, appear "clean." However, the "newness" and whether they are truly safe to wear against the skin are not necessarily the same. Experts have consistently recommended in recent years that it's safer to wash clothes that come into direct contact with the skin before wearing them.

One reason for this is the long journey clothes take before reaching us. Garments are processed during manufacturing, packaged, transported, stored in warehouses and stores, and displayed. Along the way, they are touched by multiple people and tried on in stores. Frances Kozen, who teaches fiber science at Cornell University, explains that new clothes may have residual chemicals from processing, excess dyes, and dirt from handling. In other words, clothes we assume "haven't been used by anyone" might have been in contact with many.

Particularly concerning is skin irritation. In dermatology, dyes used in clothing, especially disperse dyes commonly used in synthetic fibers, have long been pointed out as potential causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Sweat and friction can transfer dyes to the skin, causing redness, itching, and irritation. Susan Nedorost from Case Western Reserve University suggests that washing new clothes can reduce exposure to excess dyes. While not everyone will experience symptoms, it's a point hard to ignore for those with sensitive skin, during sweaty seasons, or with tight-fitting clothes like sportswear.

Furthermore, clothes are not just fabric but products that have undergone various chemical treatments. To prevent wrinkles, color fading, maintain texture, and repel water and dirt, diverse chemicals are involved. Past studies have reported the detection of compounds like quinoline, benzothiazole, and nitroanilines in clothing samples. While it's premature to conclude that these alone cause serious health issues, it's also true that "new means safe" can't be stated unequivocally. The first wash is considered one of the simplest preventive measures to remove such residues to some extent.

Another point that often triggers strong reactions on social media is the feeling of "not knowing who touched it." Many might have tried it on in the store. Returned items might be put back on sale. Dust and dirt can accumulate during storage and transportation. These stories spread more due to the "imagined discomfort" rather than the medical dangers themselves. In fact, whenever skin troubles related to fitting rooms or second-hand clothing become topics in recent reports, numerous posts advocating "wash new clothes first" appear. While there's no need to overly alarm about infections through clothing, the CDC does acknowledge that fungal infections can spread through shared or contacted items.

The reason this topic gained traction on social media wasn't just because it was about hygiene. More accurately, it was because "everyday norms" differed more than people thought. Looking at public posts and comments, reactions were largely divided into three. First, the "Is there anyone who doesn't wash before wearing?" group. Second, those who wash underwear and T-shirts but not outerwear or jackets. Third, those who think, "If you worry that much, you can't use anything," and find washing everything unrealistic.

Interestingly, this isn't a simple "clean freak vs. laid-back" conflict. Many in the first group aren't just talking about invisible bacteria. They also mention that "it's more comfortable to wear after washing" due to preventing color fading, removing odors, improving skin feel, and checking for shrinkage. On the other hand, the third group isn't necessarily disregarding hygiene. They argue from a practical perspective, saying, "If you wash everything every time, clothes will wear out," "It's not realistic when you want to wear something immediately," and "What about coats or clothes meant for dry cleaning?" The debate isn't about clean or unclean, but about what is considered "reasonable effort."

This discrepancy might reflect our very consumption behavior. In the era of fast fashion, clothes have become easier to purchase than before. However, there are few opportunities to specifically imagine where clothes come from, what materials and processes they go through, and how many hands they pass through. The tags show size and material ratio, not the history of processing agents or storage conditions. Therefore, the act of "washing once" serves as a ritual to bring the invisible distribution route back into the rules of one's home. It's a buffer before bringing products from the outside world into one's living space. This is a discussion about hygiene as well as the boundaries of life.

Of course, not all clothes need to be treated the same way. According to expert comments, items that closely contact the skin have higher priority. Underwear, socks, T-shirts, pajamas, sportswear, baby clothes—these have significant benefits when washed before wearing. On the other hand, thick outerwear and clothes designated for dry cleaning can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Even when washing, it's basic to first check care labels, separate items prone to color fading, and choose methods that are gentle on clothes, like using cold water or a gentle cycle. For sensitive skin, avoiding detergents with strong fragrances can also be helpful.

Among the reactions on social media, the strength of personal experiences is striking. Stories like "I wore new clothes without washing and got a rash," "The smell made me feel sick," or "I've never had a problem" spread more easily than expert comments. People react more to someone's failure or a familiar discomfort than to data. That's why this topic, seemingly trivial lifestyle information, flares up repeatedly. Because it's about clothes worn daily, some feel their habits are being denied, while others finally find an explanation for their discomfort. What was happening on social media was not so much a sharing of hygiene knowledge as a moment of confirming "Is my way of living normal?"

Ultimately, there is no absolute answer to the question, "Should new clothes be washed once?" However, at least considering expert opinions, prioritizing washing items close to the skin is quite reasonable. New clothes are not as pristine as they appear. They involve manufacturing, distribution, store circumstances, and our own sensory issues. While washing or not is a personal decision, it's better to be slightly cautious rather than blindly believing "it's okay because it's new." Washing clothes once, that small effort, is not just a placebo but a sufficiently rational choice in dealing with modern clothing.

Source URL

NYT
https://www.facebook.com/nytimes/posts/a-reader-asked-people-often-say-that-you-should-never-wear-new-clothes-before-wa/1317817033534090/

Announcement post for NYT article (used for supplementary confirmation of the article's existence and subject)
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVuStQ8D3zO/

Expert explanation that washing new clothes before wearing is desirable due to potential chemical, dye, dirt, and fitting-related contamination
https://www.realsimple.com/should-you-wash-new-clothes-before-wearing-11924933

Explanation of the risk of contact dermatitis from clothing dyes, especially disperse dyes
https://time.com/5631818/wash-new-clothes/

Related page from Case Western Reserve University introducing Susan Nedorost's views
https://case.edu/news/meds-susan-nedorost-shares-reasons-why-you-should-wash-new-clothes-wearing-them
https://case.edu/news/dermatologys-susan-nedorost-explains-how-dyes-clothing-could-cause-allergic-reaction

Academic material discussing how clothing can mediate human chemical exposure
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b00272

Research information on chemicals like quinoline and benzothiazole detected in clothing
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8724091/
https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A850089

Introduction of practical advice from Consumer Reports about "washing new clothes before wearing"
https://www.wmur.com/article/consumer-reports-new-clothes-washing/65383897
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/wash-new-clothes-before-wearing-consumer-reports-tips-for-cleanliness-and-care
https://www.kcra.com/article/consumer-washing-new-clothing/65949644

CDC information on the potential spread of fungal infections through clothing and shared items
https://www.cdc.gov/ringworm/causes/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ringworm/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ringworm/about/index.html

Posts and comment sections used to confirm public social media reactions to this topic
https://www.facebook.com/thesocialctv/posts/%EF%B8%8F-do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-wearing-them%EF%B8%8F-do-you-really-need-to-wash-new-cl/1465869181566520/
https://www.facebook.com/thesocialctv/photos/%EF%B8%8F-do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-wearing-them%EF%B8%8F-do-you-really-need-to-wash-new-cl/1465868311566607/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJEt7eEybXk/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOFf4gxEYw_/