Shopping for clothes is a fun experience for many people. Every new clothing piece can add a twist to outfits or give someone an entirely fresh look. If you’ve recently bought some garments, you might be tempted to wear them immediately. However, before putting on your new threads, you may want to give them a good rinse in your washing machine.
While many people have worn clothes straight out of their respective shopping bags or packages, this isn’t the most hygienic practice. In fact, these unwashed clothes may actually expose you to a number of skin irritants or microorganisms that could negatively affect your health. These include chemicals, dyes, and bacteria. Since many clothing manufacturers are not obligated to divulge their factory processes, it’s quite difficult to discern which clothes contain these detrimental elements.
Though this shouldn’t discourage you from purchasing new outfits, you are responsible for taking extra precaution to protect yourself. As the adage goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. To learn more, below are a few reasons why you should wash your new clothes first before wearing them out.
Remove Harmful Organisms
Though this may be an uncomfortable fact for some, clothes can carry organisms like bacteria, fungi, lice, and scabies. Yes, your new clothes may be a home for these unwanted visitors even if they look and smell clean. If you purchased your garments from a physical store, chances are they were passed between manufacturers, sales clerks, and customers. Several people may have made contact with your clothes before they ended up with you, and may have passed on all kinds of germs that stick to the fabric.
Even if you ordered your garments from an online store, you can’t keep track of the individuals who’ve touched your items and there’s no way of knowing the kind of environmental conditions they were stored in. With the advent of COVID-19, it’s become more important to sanitize your belongings, especially those that came from elsewhere.
Prevent the Transfer of Excess Dye
When clothes are dyed to achieve their brilliant colors, a fair amount of that dye residue may remain on the fabric, even after the manufacturing process. Loose dye transfer is another reason why you should handle newly purchased clothes with caution. The excess dye from your clothing may transfer to your skin due to sweat and friction, which can look quite unsightly when you’re out and about. After all, you may like your purple shirt, but you probably don’t want spots of purple dye on your skin.
Additionally, this loose dye transfer can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Symptoms of this condition include rashes, excessive itching, swelling, and dried skin. This is because most clothes made from synthetic materials—like nylon and polyester—need to be colored using disperse dyes, which activate this allergic reaction. Studies have found that the highest concentrations of disperse dye are usually found in new clothes. So to avoid a trip to the dermatologist, do be sure to give your new garments a spin in the wash.
Rinse off Unpleasant Chemicals
Besides excess dyes, your new clothes can also carry some unpleasant chemicals without a thorough wash. Many manufacturers apply chemical treatments to their clothes to keep them in mint condition while on display at the store. This prevents clothing from wrinkling, developing mildew, and getting stains while promoting softness and color vibrancy.
Commonly found chemicals include formaldehyde and quinoline, which are used as anti-mildew agents. Clothes with these chemicals are usually easier to transport, as they’re resistant to growing fungi, even in very humid storage units. Formaldehyde also has anti-crease and wrinkling properties, which is why many manufacturers still use it. Unfortunately, research has shown that these chemicals may not be good for your body. Quinoline, in particular, is said to have carcinogenic effects that may lead to cancer.
Researchers say that it’s impossible to completely remove these chemicals from your fabrics, but they have agreed that washing your new clothes can reduce them significantly. Although you can avoid exposure to these chemicals by purchasing clothes made from organic materials, this may limit your wardrobe choices. Additionally, organic materials are usually more susceptible to acquiring mildew and damage due to the lack of chemical preservatives. Clothes made from these natural materials also tend to be quite pricey, which may not be ideal for those on a budget.
Regardless of the types of clothes you purchase, one thing remains certain: washing your new garments is paramount. Even natural fabrics can carry germs, fungi, and mites if they’re not cleaned properly. For extra measure, it’s recommended that you dry your clothing under the sun for at least forty-five minutes. The heat from sunlight can effectively remove any pesky germs that may still be lurking in your new threads. Lastly, do be sure to follow all the instructions on your garment’s care tag. Remember, when you give your garment a proper welcome treatment, you’re also looking out for your health.
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