Technically, new clothes should be “clean”, but that’s far from the truth. 

  • Before your clothes even hit the stores, they’re touched by many hands, during manufacturing, shipping, packing and unpacking. Which means – hello germs and bacteria! Washing your new clothes helps reduce your risk of interaction with these bacteria.
  • Many clothes are treated with chemicals like formaldehyde, dyes, and other substances to keep them looking fresh and wrinkle-free on the store shelf. These chemicals can irritate your skin or even cause allergic reactions. New clothes, especially dark-coloured items, can have excess dye that might transfer to your skin or other garments. Washing helps set the colour and prevent unwanted staining.
  • Don’t forget about the dust, dirt and grime that may accompany your clothes from the store to your home. During production and transport, dust and dirt can settle on your clothes. A quick wash will help remove any unwanted particles and keep your skin from making contact with them.

Bottom line: always wash any new clothes, linen and other material household items before use.