Do you wash new clothes before wearing? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Do you wash new clothes before wearing?

cloud9

Veteran

Are you supposed to? I know they have sprays that prevent mildew and such, but those are soaked into fabric and don't get all washed out anyway.

I typically don't, as I like the newness. They are not quite the same after being laundered, especially the knits. Besides I am always afraid of shrinkage. This is about tops/shirts/blouses/pants/jeans, etc., not toppers as I always wear those unwashed first. I delay washing as long as possible. I do some spot cleaning / steam cleaning / fabreez between wearings. I am curious as to what you all do, and wonder if Angie would give us a definitive answer on whether washing prior to wearing is a must?

ETA: yes, I do wash undies b4 1st wear..

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I always always wash undies before wearing after I buy them from the store. Even if they're sealed.

I don't always was knits before 1st wear

Anonymous

After reading about the problem with bedbugs in retail clothing, yes, I wash mine before it goes in the closet.

Diana

Veteran

Depends. I always wash underwear before wearing. Always. For other things, sometimes I wash and sometimes I don't. It usually depends on whether the clothes smell funny to me. I find that some new clothes have a particular "new" smell that I don't like, and I dislike perfumey/potpourri smells that some boutiques have. I pretty much don't like ANY smells on my clothing. I very rarely buy used/thrifted clothing, but I would definitely wash that very thoroughly if I did.

Steph

Veteran

I have always washed my underwear before wearing. But for other new clothes, I never did, until the past year. Now, like Joy, I worry about bringing bedbugs home. However, since you can't kill bedbugs by washing them, I actually put my new, dry clothes in the dryer (that's how you kill the bugs). So I guess the answer is still kind of no.

If something were used or thrifted, I would absolutely wash it first.

HeleenH

Veteran

Yes, I wash just about everyting (coats and shoes are the exceptions I can think of). Because when I don't the stuff they put in it in the stores gives me the itches.

Louise

Veteran

I wash everything new before wearing for 2 reasons I never know who's handled/ tried it on before and if it shrinks or distorts it can be returned straight away x

Sparky

Veteran

Like HeleenH, I wash or dry clean everything now except for shoes and coats. Starting last summer I began getting itchy red rashes after wearing brand new clothes that hadn't been cleaned. I had always cleaned a lot of my new clothes before wearing, but now I do close to everything.

rae

(website)

Veteran

LIke Joy, I fear bedbugs. I either steam clean or Dryel brand new stuff. High heat is supposed to kill 'em.

Melissa

I posted this a long time ago, but I wash everything before wearing. Here's why (warning--this link is not for the faint hearted):

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/gma-.....id=9482373

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Just underwear and camisoles.

A little dirt is good for the immune system. I have the constitution of an ox

Granted, I do not thrift. I would launder anything I thrifted first.

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

Always with underwear, and with jeans/trousers that I am planning on having hemmed, as everything always seems to shrink, even if it's only a small amount.

kellygirl

Veteran

Underwear, swim suits and denim. Those are really the only things I wash before wearing.

Barbara

Veteran

Underwear, swimsuits, jeans and ANYTHING that has a chemical smell to it.
Some new knits don't need washing before wearing.

Any Ebay or consignment/thrift shop purchase is thoroughly washed!

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

I have gotten in the habit of washing almost anything first. L

MsMary

Veteran

I only launder undies and thrift store finds. Other than that, I say "no guts, no glory!"

secretaria

I always, always wash new under clothes before use but love the newness of clothing! Besides it takes me a while to figure out how they need to be cleaned specifically as the label often is very vague! So by the time a few hours have passed I know how delicate a garment is, whether it crushes or looses shape easily etc and then wash accordingly.

But if this is a special favorite piece or more expensive than my regular wear, I would definitely get them professionally laundered the first time. I find that this sort of sets the garment and it's able to retain it's shape and colour for many uses after.

Scarlet

Veteran

I am only strict about underwear and bathing suits. I like the pristine state of new clothes and like to enjoy it at least once before washing.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

No I don't wash my clothes before wearing them, they are never quite the same once washed. I did once buy a dress which smelled of someones perfume, I liked the smell so much I tried to track down the scent but to no avail.

Gaylene

Veteran

Just a little bemused by the seeming contradiction-- people seem inclined to wash "thrifted" items because they have been worn by others, but feel "new" items are different because they have not been worn by others? Given the generous return policies of most retailers these days, wouldn't it be logical to assume that a "new" garment has probably been on more than one body (sometimes for an extended period) before it was purchased by you?

Personally, I feel better washing or cleaning anything that I wear next to my skin as I just assume that the garment has been worn by others before it hits my closet. Personal hygiene is highly variable.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chuckling @ Julie.

Gaylene, it's that "musty thrifted smell" that often accompanies thrifted items than sends me over the edge. Store bought items are sans that odour.

Scarlet

Veteran

For me it is not that a new garment hasn't been on others, but rather the perfect ironing/steaming that I like. It's the fresh way it looks, not the fresh way it is.

lisaflex

Veteran

just about everything gets washed/drycleaned before a wearing

darks in a load of just vinegar

all others w/ borax or clorx 2 and minimum soap and vinegar as a rinse aid and hung to dry to reduce any shrinkage...and running of colors

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Pretty much just undies. Thrift store stuff too, but usually that's just a tumble in the dryer with Dryel because most of my thrifted stuff is dresses and skirts.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I don't wash anything before wearing but I guess I should. 8)

Isabel

Veteran

I do wash underwear and bathing suits. The rest seems to have no rhyme or reason as to whether or not I wash them. Though I sometimes wash colors that might run with cold water and vinegar. I do, however, was all of my children's clothes before they wear them.

I had never thought of bed bugs, that may change what I do now.