Do you wash new clothes before you wear them? Do you wash new bed linen before you place them on your bed? They are straight from the shop and should be clean. Right? Wrong, and here are a few reasons that may change your mind and make your start to wash before wearing.
Some people may think I’m a little crazy or maybe have a germ phobia, but I always wash clothes before I wear them and bed linen/towels before using them. Whether I buy new or second hand items they all go into the washing machine, on a normal wash cycle with an extra long rinse, and then fully dried, out in the sun, before anyone uses them.
Here are some reasons as to why I do this:
- Fabrics and yarn are dyed to change the colours of the material. These dyes are full of chemicals and so process of dyeing also using chemicals. These chemicals can have nasty side effects when they come in to contact with your skin. If you have highly sensitive skin, you could end up with reactions such as rashes or dry itchy skin. This is particularly important for babies and small children as they are particularly sensitive to chemicals. Wouldn’t you want to make sure that you get rid of these chemicals before having these items so close to your skin?
- Do you try on clothing at the shops? Many people do and it is possible for things such as lice, scabies, bacteria and fungus to be transferred onto the clothing while someone is trying them on. Changing rooms can also be a breeding ground for viruses and things like athlete’s foot. Many times I have been in change rooms and seen clothes that have been thrown on the floor, waiting for someone to pick them up and hang them up again. Who knows where the clothes you buy have been hanging around?
- By washing new bed linen and towels, you will not only be helping in the removal of chemicals, it also removes the surface finer coatings which will help improve the absorbency of the fabric
- ms of clothing have a tag that reads ‘wash separately before wearing.’ This is due to the transfer of dye and colour bleeding. Washing before using will help remove this excess dye. If it still runs after the first wash, washing again separately until all the excess dye is removed.
Many items of clothing have a tag that reads ‘wash separately before wearing.’ This is due to the transfer of dye and colour bleeding. Washing before using will help remove this excess dye. If it still runs after the first wash, washing again separately until all the excess dye is removed.
All clothing, bed linen and towels that are available for purchase are not made on site. They are made elsewhere and need to be transported to the shop you are purchasing them from. They are packed into boxes or bags with chemical satchels that absorb moisture while shipping. The humidity inside the package can cause things like fungus and mold to hang around and breed. By washing before using you are getting rid of these nasties and are helping to prevent them causing possible allergic reactions on sensitive skin.
Second hand clothing and bed linen from op shops or thrift stores should be washed before using due to hygienic reasons. Even though these clothes would probably have been washed before by the previous owner, washing with your regular detergent will insure there are no skin irritations or reactions for the members of your family.
I don’t know about you, but as I have a child that has had some serious allergic reactions, I will always wash before wearing.
Do you wash before you wear?