There’s been a long-term debate over the years about whether or not you need to wash new clothes before wearing them. Now there’s a definitive answer about whether pre-washing new clothes is the right thing to do or just a waste of water and detergent. The answer is yes — you should wash new clothes before wearing them. Even if your new shirt or a pair of leggings is fresh out of the package, they could be contaminated with germs, toxic chemicals, dirt and more. Processing textiles is a multi-step process that frequently takes place in several countries. They’ve been touched by many hands, gone through storage and transportation, and may have residual chemicals and dyes left on them from processing. These bad-news bugs hitch a ride from contact with dirty hands and surfaces along the way. Germs on new clothes can cause health problems, including staph, skin infections, and respiratory issues. Simply washing your clothes before wearing them can remove the toxic chemicals, dirt, germs, and anything else that might be on them. Just toss them in the washer and don’t skip the dryer, which will ensure that all hitchhikers are dead.
